By Charles H. Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)
It was no small honor to have seen our risen Lord while yet He lingered here below; what must it be to see Jesus as He is now! Dwell with your hearts very much upon Christ crucified, but indulge yourselves full often with a sight of Christ glorified; delight to think that He is not here, for He is risen! He is not here, for He has ascended! He is not here, for He sits at the right hand of God, and makes intercession for us!
Jesus Has All Power
“…All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).
Now, think a moment of these words, “all power.” Jesus Christ has given to Him by His Father, as a consequence of His death, “all power.” What mind shall conceive, what tongue shall set in order before you the meaning of all power? We cannot grasp it! It is high, we cannot attain unto it! Such knowledge is too wonderful for us. The power of self-existence, the power of creation, the power of sustaining that which is made, the power of fashioning and destroying, the power of opening and shutting, of overthrowing or establishing, of killing and making alive, the power of pardon and to condemn, to give and to withhold, to decree and to fulfill, to be, in a word, “head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22) – all this is vested in Jesus Christ our Lord!
The Power of the Holy Spirit
“All power” must include – and this is a practical point to us – all the power of the Holy Spirit. It is He that convicts men of sin, and leads them to a Savior, gives them new hearts and right spirits, and plants them in the church, and then causes them to grow and become fruitful. As the anointing oil poured upon Aaron’s head, ran down his beard, and dampened the skirts of his garments, so the Spirit which has been granted to Him without measure flows from Him to us!
All Power on Earth
Our Lord also claimed that all power had been given to Him on earth. Since all power on earth is lodged in Christ’s hands, He can also clothe any and all of His servants with a sacred might by which their hands shall be sufficient for them in their high calling. Without bringing them forth into the front ranks, He can make them occupy their appointed stations till He comes, girt with a power which shall make them useful. My brother, the Lord Jesus can make you eminently prosperous in the sphere in which He has placed you. My sister, your Lord can bless the little children who gather at your knee through your means. You are very feeble, and you know it, but there is no reason why you should not be strong in Him. If you look to the Strong for strength, He can endow you with power from on high, and say to you as to Gideon, “Go in this thy might” (Judg. 6:14).
Power for the Church in Our Day!
O believers, resort to your Lord to receive, out of His fullness, grace for grace. Because of this power we believe that if Jesus willed, He could stir the whole church at once to the utmost energy. Does she sleep? His voice can awaken her. Does she restrain prayer? His grace can stimulate her devotion. Has she grown unbelieving? He can restore her ancient faith. Does she turn her back in the day of battle, troubled with skepticisms and doubts? He can restore her unwavering confidence in the Gospel, and make her valiant till all her sons shall be heroes of faith.
Let us believe, and we shall see the glory of God! Never despair for the church! Be anxious for her, and turn your anxiety into prayer – but be hopeful evermore, for her Redeemer is mighty, and will stir up His strength. “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psa. 46:7). There stands One among us whom the world sees not, whose shoelace we are not worthy to loosen – He shall again baptize us with the Holy Spirit, and with fire, for “all power” is given unto Him.
