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Following Jesus · Optional Start Here · Message Seventy-Eight

All Authority in Heaven and on Earth

The crucified and risen Son of Man possesses all authority, so his people can make disciples of every nation in his presence, by the Spirit’s power, and in hope of his return.

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Archive recording: Crowned, Commissioned, and Coming Again
April 29, 2026

Lesson overview

The Bible’s kingdom story exposes the failure of power turned inward and points toward a different King.

Deuteronomy 17 places Israel’s future king beneath God’s instruction: chosen by God, one of the covenant people, restrained from multiplying military power, wives, and wealth, devoted to the Torah, and forbidden to exalt himself above fellow Israelites. Saul, David, Solomon, and the divided monarchy repeatedly reveal why Israel needs a faithful Davidic ruler who obeys God and serves rather than accumulates.

That hope comes to its climax in Jesus, but not through the conquest many expected. The humble king rides into Jerusalem and gives his life. God raises him, and on a Galilean mountain the Eleven worship even as some hesitate. Jesus announces, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew has prepared for this declaration: Jesus teaches with authority, forgives and heals with authority, gives authority to his disciples, receives all things from the Father, and withstands challenges to his authority in the temple.

The crucified and risen Son of Man possesses all authority, so his people can make disciples of every nation in his presence, by the Spirit’s power, and in hope of his return.

Matthew 28:16–20, Luke 24:44–53, and Acts 1:1–11, with Deuteronomy 17:14–20, Daniel 7:9–14, Ephesians 1:7–10, and Colossians 1:15–20

A king beneath God’s word

Daniel 7 provides the decisive background. One like a son of man approaches the Ancient of Days and receives dominion, glory, kingdom, and the service of every people, nation, and language. Jesus’ universal authority therefore issues in a universal mission: make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the singular name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded. The commission rests neither on the disciples’ confidence nor on favorable conditions, but on the reign and continuing presence of the risen King.

Luke and Acts widen the scene. The risen Jesus opens Scripture, declares that repentance for forgiveness will be proclaimed to all nations, identifies the disciples as witnesses, and promises power from on high. Across forty days he presents himself alive and teaches about God’s kingdom. He then promises the Holy Spirit, sends witnesses from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth, ascends before their eyes, and is promised to return. The story does not end with disciples staring upward. Under Jesus’ authority and in the Spirit’s power, they are to carry his teaching and saving announcement outward until the King comes again.

Deuteronomy 17 defines restrained covenant kingship: divine choice, covenant belonging, limited power and wealth, daily Torah, humility, and obedience.

Judges, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, division, Assyrian conquest, Babylonian exile, and the end of Jerusalem’s preexilic throne sharpen the need for a faithful king.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 28:18

Exodus 15:1–18; 19:3–6

All things gathered and reconciled in Christ

The Eleven meet Jesus in Galilee; worship and hesitation stand together, and Matthew’s earlier authority scenes prepare for Jesus’ universal claim.

God’s sovereign speech in Genesis and promised new creation in Revelation frame a world now disordered by sin but destined for restored communion.

Daniel 7 explains the language of granted authority, worldwide service, unending dominion, and the Son of Man’s kingdom.

Ephesians, Colossians, and John connect Jesus’ universal reign with reconciliation, peace through the cross, and life in the Son.

Numbers 24:7–19

The servant King and the Spirit-empowered church

Jesus turns authority into mission: going, baptizing, teaching obedience, and trusting his presence to the end of the age.

Luke’s commission and ascension join the worldwide message with opened Scripture, promised power, worship, joy, and praise.

Acts presents forty days of appearances, kingdom teaching, the Spirit’s promise, a mission from Jerusalem outward, Jesus’ ascension, and the assurance of his return.

The series closes by contrasting self-exalting rulers with Jesus’ humble saving reign and calling the church to disciple-making until he returns.

Study and reflection

Read, trace, and live the teaching.

This lesson belongs within the whole Gospel story. Read the principal passage slowly, follow the supporting texts in their own contexts, and notice how the words and works of Jesus reveal the kingdom he brings.

Read the passage

Matthew 28:16–20, Luke 24:44–53, and Acts 1:1–11, with Deuteronomy 17:14–20, Daniel 7:9–14, Ephesians 1:7–10, and Colossians 1:15–20

Trace the promise

Genesis 1:1–2:3; 12:1–3; 17:1–8; 49:8–12; Exodus 15:1–18; 19:3–6; Numbers 24:7–19; Deuteronomy 17:14–20

See the Gospel connection

1 Samuel 8; 2 Samuel 7:8–16; Psalm 2; 72; 89; 110; Isaiah 9:1–7; 11:1–10; 52:13–53:12; Daniel 7:9–14; Matthew 7:28–29; 9:1–8; 10:1; 11:25–30; 21:23–27; 28:16–20; Luke 24:44–53; Acts 1:1–11

Follow the truth

Ephesians 1:7–10, 19–23; 6:10–20; Colossians 1:13–20; Revelation 11:15; 21:1–22:5

Scripture guide

Read the whole teaching in context.

These are the principal passages developed in this message and the texts that clarify its place within the mission of Jesus.

The passage in context