Our Government has been wrestling with the issue of sovereignty. The European question has been a divisive issue and one that will be debated endlessly in the quest for sovereignty. Meanwhile, as the environment shows its muscles concern has spilt over into protesters criticising the media: “BBC, your silence is deadly”.

Is the media in control? Or is it the advertisers influencing our lifestyles? Or maybe Artificial Intelligence is taking over as seen by the robots at Seoul airport that speak four languages and direct you to the right place! Then again, a family member or a group may hugely shapes our decisions. Who is the true Sovereign?

Jesus has sovereign authority. His miracles show his sovereign power.  His teaching showed his moral authority. When Jesus preached, ‘they were amazed at Jesus’ because his message had authority’ (Luke 4v32). Jesus revealed God’s character, will and the world’s final goal. Like an old painting being restored, he removed the layers of varnish to bring back the original vibrant colours of God’s word, while exposing details that had been painted over. What was he aiming to achieve? It is to bring: ‘freedom for prisoners (in bondage to sin and death); sight for the blind (blind to the truth about God), to release the oppressed (the devil’s control would end). Jesus transforms life. Our past life of rebellion against God that deserves only his judgment can be forgiven. Our present life is to be lived in right relation to Jesus the Lord, doing the good works that he has prepared for us to do, bringing blessing to the world. Future salvation is secure as we wait for the return of our rescuer from sin and death. His many miraculous signs pointed to a new world to come, free from the effects of The Fall. The priority of his ministry then (and our ministry now) was to extend his sovereign rule: “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent” (Luke 4 v43).

Jesus’ sovereign rule both comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. It rebukes the proud, but lifts up the humble. It leads us in the way of truth and draws us away from what hampers and binds.

Will you learn how living with Jesus as sovereign is to discover fullness of life?

Paul Kingman