Where authority is given...

1/10/08

 

Where authority is given…

 

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert…”  The desert is a strange place to be led to, a strange first destiny for somebody full of the Holy Spirit.

 

Before the amazing preaching, before the miraculous healings, and before the crowds, was the desert; and that was the will of God since His Spirit was the one leading the way. 

 

It was not either an easy way, it was not a formality in the plan… it was a long and hard test, a time of weakness and loneliness, a time of battle and temptation… the worst case scenario of a scary movie, the place to face your worst and most powerful enemy in your weakest moment; that was the desert for Jesus Christ. 

 

This time came right after a unique baptism, and right before a unique ministry… it started full of the Spirit and it ended in the power of the Spirit. 

 

Why would God command a desert after sending His own voice from Heaven to express His delight in the Son at His baptism?  Why such a low after such a high?  I believe it was a matter of authority.  We sometimes believe authority is received in big ceremonies, by laying the hands of elders in those who are to receive this authority before many witnesses.  I don’t mean elders laying hands in ministers is wrong - the Bible teaches it - What I mean the ceremonies are just a symbol, the reflection of an agreement between the Head of the Church and his Body… an expression of delight and approval in the recognition of God’s call in the life of a servant.  We also believe sometimes authority is received just as a consequence of fervent prayer and quoting Scripture…

 

I believe authority is practically received in the desert.  Given by God as the prize of victory over temptation and over the Enemy; given by God as a public mark of victory and demonstrated faithfulness in the middle of weakness, loneliness and struggle…  The battle that took place in weakness at the middle of the desert; defeated Satan with His schemes over the flesh, the soul, and even over the human spirit, which the Enemy was trying to confuse to tempt God.  The consequence of that victory was spiritual authority able to endorse a powerful ministry.

 

I know the Spirit dwells in me, but I also realize it’s me who lacks authority over certain areas of ministry...  I still don’t like deserts, but now I certainly see them differently, and I’m coming to value – as a mustard seed – the outcome that is found out of those deserts the Holy Spirit leads me in.