Neville Turley

Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”  Matthew 28:18 (NIV)

Long before the birth of Christ, there lived a God-fearing man named Daniel. He was just a young man when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Judah.  Daniel along with other young men from the Jewish nobility, were handpicked to be trained in the king’s service. (Daniel 1:3-6)

Daniel being a man of high principles did not succumb to the many temptations of the royal Babylonian court but set himself rigid standards, even in eating.  (Daniel 1:8)

God favoured Daniel and blessed him with the ability to understand visions and dreams. (Daniel 1:17)  His ability to do so greatly impressed the King of Babylon and his rise in their service was meteoric. 

One night God revealed the promised Christ to Daniel in a vision. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)

Imagine what comfort and hope that vision must have given Daniel’s own people who at that time were a subject race, suffering greatly under the yoke of Babylon.

Jesus himself authenticated Daniel’s vision of himself when he declared “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18

We may not be living under such a cruel regime as the Jews were.  However, all of us have crosses we find difficult to bear.  Our circumstances may be a result of our own failings or outside our control.  We may have health problems, family crises, financial hardships or employment insecurities.  To all of us, the God of Hope holds out the promised Christ.

He has the authority to solve your problem and grant you peace and joy.  What better time to turn to him than now during the Christmas season.

Prayer: Sovereign Father, let us remember, particularly during this festive season, that you have vested all authority in heaven and earth in our Lord Jesus Christ. To you, be all glory and praise. Amen