Christians are commanded to obey all legitimate human authorities (Mark 12:17; Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13). However, Jesus alone has the HIGHEST authority (Philippians 2:9-11). We know this because, about 2000 years ago, God raised Jesus from the dead. Therefore, God now “commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31). This is why Jesus told His followers after His resurrection: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Who will we obey?
Saying that Jesus is the real ruler may be simple for us, but here’s the test: who would we defy if our government forbids us from following any of Jesus’ teachings? Will we rebel against the LOWER authority in order to appease the HIGHER authority, or will we rebel against the HIGHER authority in order to appease the LOWER authority? Unfortunately, it’s not always feasible to win over everyone.
The disciples of Jesus had to make this decision back in the first century. Acts 4:1–21 and 517–42 record how the religious authorities chastised them for sharing the gospel and forewarned them not to preach any more about Jesus’ death and resurrection. “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God,” the disciples retorted. Since we are compelled to discuss what we have heard and observed. Acts 4:19–20. “They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” in the face of severe persecution. (Acts 5:42). The disciples’ faith in Jesus as the rightful king is demonstrated by their obedience.
Praying for boldness
How did the disciples have so much courage? One thing they did was pray for boldness (Acts 4:29). They may have remembered Jesus’ warning: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One Who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). There was also Jesus’ comforting promise: “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven” (Luke 6:22-23). And they would also have been encouraged by Jesus’ personal example. When Pontius Pilate asked Jesus: “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above” (John 19:10-11).
The proof of the crucifixion
Even while it appears that His adversaries have triumphed, Jesus’ crucifixion serves as the ultimate evidence that He is, in fact, the true Ruler. It appeared as though Jesus had been defeated on the cross. But as Acts 4:28 demonstrates, the earthly authorities were just carrying out what God’s “power and will had decided beforehand should happen.” This is because God’s plan, revealed in Revelation 13:8, has always been to send His Son into the world in order to save the world through Him (John 3:17).
A ransom for many
The last indication of the genuine Ruler is this: according to Mark 10:45, Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” This sets Him apart from many other earthly rulers. The true Ruler did not come to condemn us; rather, He came humbly and in love to give up His own life in order to forgive us, even though we have frequently disobeyed and dishonored Him.
No other Lord and Savior compares to Jesus Christ. Now because He is the HIGHEST authority in our universe and in our life, let us learn to obey Him every day.