Those who have read the Harry Potter series, the C. S. Lewis series, or the Tolkien series will recognize a pattern: power without goodness corrupts, and goodness always wins in the end. We wish that were truly the case. In best case scenarios, evil is vanquished and the power of love triumphs over all. But only with the help of certain chosen people (or Hobbits as it were for Tolkien) can all of this come about. Without the intervention of those called upon to battle injustice and sin, evil can reign for a good, long time! It takes a change in dynamics to change the state of a static world.

Power and authority.

This is what Jesus says he was given by the Father in heaven: “all authority in heaven and on earth!” Because Jesus has authority and power, his disciples are bestowed with the s…