Holy Week #3 of 8 Tuesday: The Ultimate Authority, March 26
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. ‘Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,’ they said. ‘Who gave you this authority?’” (Luke 20:1-2 NIV)
The chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders considered themselves the authority in Jerusalem. They oversaw the Temple. They led the ceremonies, robed themselves in fancy vestments, and sat in positions of honor. They also enjoyed political power entrusted to them by the Roman Empire, which ultimately controlled the country.
When Jesus came into their temple, turned over tables and ran out the money changers, the leaders were furious. His teaching in their temple accused the religious elite of abusing their power. Jesus said He would destroy the temple and raise it up in three days.
In their outrage, the priests, scribes, and elders pressed Jesus to tell them the authority that allowed Him to do these things. Jesus refused, knowing they would not believe Him. He is the Son of God. Jesus is the Ultimate Authority.
In a few days, these hard-hearted leaders will use their self-declared authority to have Jesus crucified. Jesus will allow them to do this, to destroy His temple—not a building made of stone, but His body. They will celebrate, but after three days, Jesus will rise from the dead. He will live and reign forever, and give forgiveness and eternal life to those who believe in Him. Now that’s authority!
After Jesus rises from the dead, He will rightfully proclaim to His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18 NIV).
Like the religious elite, cancer claims authority it does not have. The disease barges in unexpectedly and tries to take over your life. Cancer conscripts you into battle. Fight, fight, fight! The battle may disable you, disfigure your body, or take your life. Oncologists report cancer’s intentions for your life: “Your ‘survival rate,’ that is your chance of living five years is this percentage.”
It’s not hard to imagine cancer as an evil dictator who wants you to believe it is all-powerful and the sole authority. But Jesus, not cancer, is the one with all the authority. He alone is sovereign and can do all things:
He can banish the disease from your body and heal you.
He can bring order and peace out of cancer’s chaos.
He can use cancer for your good and His glory.
He gives you everything you need.
He alone frees and forgives you of sin.
He gives eternal life.
Jesus’ victory over death establishes once and for all that He is the Ultimate Authority. If you believe in Jesus, cancer can’t take your life. If your body succumbs to cancer, your spirit will still be alive. You will be in heaven with Jesus. Cancer will be nowhere to be found.
Jesus can accomplish amazing things in your life, even while you deal with cancer. He will use this time to draw you closer to God. While you wait for cancer to go away, He will take away your sins. While you give blood, He will give you peace. While you’re filling prescriptions, He will fill you with His love.
Pray: Lord, help me remember that You, not cancer, are in control of my life. Whatever it may do or threaten, You remain sovereign over it. You can heal and restore at will. You can also use cancer for Your purposes. You are the ultimate authority in my life. I will honor and love You to the end. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Your Turn: Read and reflect on Luke 20-21. Listen to “Our God is An Awesome God” and worship. Cancer is awful. God is awesome!
Michael David Gira Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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