² “… even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.”

Authority given to Christ extends to all of creation, including the unseen spiritual angelic world. The writer to the Hebrews explains: “You [God] have made Him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned Him with glory and honor, and have appointed Him over the works of Your hands” (Heb 2:7). That includes everything, even angels and demons. Quoting Psalm 110:1, that writer says, “But to which of the angels has He ever said, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet’?” (Heb 1:13). Though for a time His authority is somewhat veiled, one day all creation will see clearly that He is Lord over all.

In our context of the Upper Room, the word “flesh” extends specifically to humanity, where the most incredible exertion of faith would struggle to see Jesus’ authority. The group is secreted in an upper room, with Jesus’ foreboding teaching of His upcoming suffering and death. Shortly the mob will be arresting Him, whipping Him beyond the point of recognition and then fastening Him immobile to a Roman cross, a symbol of absolute shame and defeat. When the Romans vanquished their enemies, it was the ultimate insult for the defeated foes, but glory for the Roman victors, to parade the leader of the opposition through the streets of the city and openly execute him. This demonstrated absolute authority over any who opposed Rome. One person mocked, “He saved others, He cannot save Himself” (Mark 15:31). How true—to save Himself would go against what the Father had sent Him to do, and He could not do that.

Yet, though His Lordship was hidden, there is coming a time when “all flesh” will see Him as He really is. “In these last days [God] has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world” (Heb 1:2). The apostle Paul wrote, “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:8–11).

Unlike Roman victors, Jesus doesn’t parade and humiliate His enemies. Rather He died for them, taking their shame upon Himself, so that we might be won over not by force, but by love. His authority extends in love.

Lord, I willingly surrender to the authority of Your love. I am Yours.