In Matthew, Mark and Luke, we’re told how Jesus had His disciples get into a boat so they could go across to the other shore. Apparently it had been a long day and Jesus was tired, because He went to the stern of the boat and fell asleep. However, as they sailed, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat and they were in danger of being swamped. Now remember, several of these guys were professional fisherman and they knew how to handle themselves at sea. But apparently, the situation got bad enough that these seasoned guys woke Jesus up and said, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
Now here’s the really interesting part. Jesus gets up and before He does anything else, He rebukes (reprimands) the disciples, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
Now forgive me if I’m wrong here, but isn’t it obvious why they’re afraid. Aren’t they about to drown! It goes on to say that But Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (see Luke 8:22-25)
I want you to think about this. Did Jesus except the disciples to do something about the storm? If so, what? It’s pretty clear that Jesus didn’t appreciate it when they woke Him up. Could it be that Jesus expected the disciples to do something about the storm? Did He want them to use the authority He had already given then to calm the storm? Did He want them to handle it on their own? If so, they failed the test.
Shortly after this Jesus sends out the 12 on their own and gives them power and authority “to drive our demons and to cure diseases” Luke 9:1 Apparently they did well and got a taste of what this God given authority was all about. This was followed by 72 others being sent out who came back saying, “even the demons submit to us in your name” Luke 10:17
But right after sending out the 12 and before the 72, we see Jesus again challenging the disciples in Luke 9. A crowd of 5,000 men, which translates to 10,000 plus followed Him and were hungry. The only food available was a small boy’s lunch. The disciples were trying to figure out if they could “Send the people away to the surrounding villages and countryside so they could find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” Luke 9:12 But instead of talking them through their options, Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Luke 9:13
Now please, someone explain to me, “What did Jesus expect them to do?” Did Jesus actually expect them to come up “supernaturally” with enough food to feed this huge crowd?
Ok, stay with me! Luke 9 goes on with a situation where Jesus and His disciples are heading to Jerusalem through Samaria, so He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but some the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, (Luke 9:52-55).
Finally they had gotten the idea that Jesus had given them great authority, but now they wanted to use it in a wrong way—to hurt rather than to help! Jesus refused to allow this and rebuked them for their desire to use their authority irresponsibly.
Now the question I have is how often have I neglected the authority Jesus has given me by not applying His power to situations He expects me to deal with as His agent? How many opportunities have I missed that the Holy Spirit would like to involve me in? Or worse yet, how many go unhealed or continue to struggle under bondage because I have neglected to operate in Jesus’ authority and power?
As I learn I want to pass this on to you and there are 3 areas that you can begin to operate in today, so I encourage you to listen well.
1. Protection
Ps 94:17 Unless the LORD had given me help I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. 18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul… 22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
If the Lord were not protecting us from the enemy, we would be goners. The enemy of our soul, has one desire for God’s children—“to steal, kill, and destroy” John 10:10. The Lord is always protecting us at a high level, so we do not need to be insecure.
In Jesus prayer for His disciples, He prays, Father, protect them by the power of your name—12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me…. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (John 17:11-15)
On the one hand, we can assume a high level of protection, but on the other hand, we need to be alert to the vulnerabilities and attacks of the Evil One who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour unsuspecting believers. (I Peter 5:8) That’s why He says to be self-controlled and alert!
Just before His arrest, Jesus advised His disciples to increase their protection by praying that they “will not fall into temptation” (Luke 22:40), and, in the end times He said, be “on watch,” praying “always that (they) will have strength to go safely through” the end-times trouble (Luke 21:36).
The world is a dangerous place and without being a fanatic or fearful, we need to claim God’s safety and protection over any enemy power that may be operating in a place, particularly New Age spirituality that is so prevalent in so many places today. Put on your armor!
2. Prevention
I am learning to take authority over potential problems I see coming. If I’m in a situation that’s unhealthy, dangerous or an argument is brewing, I’m beginning to say “If this is the enemy, stop.” I have seen this work enough to keep doing it. If it’s not the enemy, “I’m no worse for wear.” But if it is, a major problem may have been averted! Many times I’ve been asked to pray through a home that has had a number or weird or strange things going on. However, after taking authority in Jesus name and commanding evil spirits to leave, the whole atmosphere of the home changed. Try it! Experiment with it! See what God is doing.
3. Attack
When I minister healing and deliverance to people, we are attacking the enemy’s grip on them. The Bible says that Satan is the ruler of this world (John 14:30), and we are attacking him whenever we are asserting the authority given us to hinder his plan.
This is particularly important when we witness. I have seen the enemy cause all kinds of distractions from the phone ringing, to the dog barking, to neighbors stopping bye, to a myriad of distractions. As the Lord leads you into a witnessing situation, tell the enemy to be still and silent. And while you’re at it, know that Satan blinds the minds of the unbeliever (2 Cor 4:4); take authority over Him as well.
As children of God we have been given authority by Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, and under the will of Father. Jesus tells us to use it in a right way, but to use it nonetheless. So go ahead and do it! Don’t be a fanatic or go-nuts, but let’s be obedient and go do what Jesus said to do and see what happens. If the future is anything like I’ve been experiencing, there are some pretty exciting things ahead.
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