What is the Church under the direction and authority of Jesus Christ? When we read in Mark chapter 1 that Jesus cast out evil spirits and healed the sick, is this part of the ministry of the Church today? Does the Church whose Lord is the One who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth continue to do these “works” today – in his Name, because of who he is, and because of the nature of the Good News preached into our communities?

I am sad when I try to answer these questions. I see the Church trying to look “nice,” trying to fill our pews with “nice people” who do “nice things” – people who wear masks that make us look “nice.” These masks, however, cover up many hurts, habits, and hang-ups which keep us from being honest with each other. We have a hard time being open with each other about things that hinder our relationship with God. We fear that others will think less of us if we admit that we have these hurts, habits and hang-ups.

We reach out to all people – masked and unmasked. We will encounter people who want to get on the road to recovery. They will come to admit that they are sinners and totally incapable of managing their lives. They will come to Jesus to be cleansed of their sins. They will trust Jesus because they believe the Word of God about Jesus, that he alone can change their lives. Jesus has all power and authority in heaven and on earth given to him, and through us his Church, he will change lives – some quietly, some in spectacular ways. I have had the privilege of celebrating with some people their milestones of 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months, and yes, three years and 19 years of sobriety! It is a joy to be in the presence of people who have trusted in Jesus because he is the only one who has the power and authority to truly change their lives.

We, the Church of Jesus Christ, believe and know him to be the holy Son of God. We know that Jesus is the head of the Church and we are members of his body. On his authority we are sent into the world to make disciples of all nations, having the assurance that he is with us always. As we do this, we will witness the great power and authority of Jesus to forgive, to heal, to lead people on the road to recovery.

We are not like the Israelites in Exodus 33. God told them he would not go with them on their way because he might destroy them when they did not trust him and chose to disobey him. Moses pleaded for his people in verses 15-16, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

Today we have the distinguishing mark of the Holy Spirit of God on our lives. Through the Spirit, Jesus is with us in mission all the time. We are on mission in his name, with his authority. This truth informs the way we as the Church live and act in the world we live in.

Jesus’ authority has not been taken from him. His command to make disciples of all nations and his continued presence encourage us as we enter into the spiritual battle. We are confident because he has authorized and equipped us with spiritual armor to combat all kinds of evil.

As she went on mission overseas, one young woman asked me to pray for her that she would be protected from spiritual warfare. I told her I would not pray that she be protected from spiritual warfare. Rather, I would pray that in spiritual warfare she would develop the skill and agility to use her God-given spiritual armor – that she could both defend herself and wield the Word of God as her offensive weapon to combat the forces of the evil one.

Today we are commissioned to do as Jesus did. Isaiah, speaking of Jesus, said, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). When Jesus heard people’s complaints about him, that he hung out with tax collectors and sinners, he had this to say of his ministry, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Matthew 9:12). In this, Jesus shows us his heart and how he used his authority over evil and sickness.

We find Jesus with great authority teaching people through the ministry of the Word. He taught his disciples. He preached to the crowds. He told of the kingdom of heaven. Today we continue this ministry under his authority as we preach, teach, visit the sick and the needy and help those who need help. Under his authority we minister to people who throughout their lives have accumulated hurts, habits and hang-ups. These things have resulted in many people who now wear masks to cover up faces that bear the scars of the past and the wounds of the present. It is only Jesus who has the power and authority to truly deliver each of these people.

Do we long to see Jesus cast out demons today? Do we long to see Jesus healing the sick? Do we long to see Jesus open the eyes of the spiritually blind? Is Jesus, under whose authority we serve today, truly the author of life, the possessor of awesome power, the one who alone can comfort the broken hearted? Yes, he is! Our mission as Jesus’ Church is to reach out with the authority of Jesus to all those who are in need, without neglecting our ministry to the “sheep” who stay close to their shepherd.

Jesus continues to go with us today to meet the needs of these people as he did in the past. Today he stands before us and with us, authorizing us to shepherd and care for all his sheep until he returns.

Rev. James Erickson is senior pastor of Calvary Community Church in Fullerton, CA.

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