Under Authority

 Title: Under Authority 

by: JK Woodall, Ph.D.

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Dear Fellow Saints of The Most High,

I greet you in the love and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is my honor to share Under Authority, a commentary that reflects on one of God’s greatest principles for His people. Authority, as God designed, is far more than a structure of control—it is a source of blessing, growth, and intimacy with Him. To understand God’s authority is to understand His heart and His intentions for us as His children, whom He lovingly guides and protects.

Consider the powerful scene in Exodus when Moses comes down from Mount Sinai, holding the tablets of the law. These tablets, inscribed by the very hand of God, were given to Israel as a divine framework for holy living. God’s authority was etched into stone, a law intended to teach His people how to live rightly in His presence. As Moses came down the mountain, he brought the word of God to the people—commands meant to draw them closer to their Creator and to one another in righteousness (Exodus 34:29-35).

Now let us turn to the New Testament, to #Jesus coming down from the mountain in Matthew 8. Just as Moses brought down the Law, Jesus, the Living Word, descends to bring grace, healing, and the fulfillment of the Law. He embodies the ultimate authority of God, not only giving commands but manifesting the power and compassion of God Himself. When the Roman centurion approaches Jesus, recognizing His divine authority, he humbly requests healing for his servant: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). The centurion understands the authority of Jesus as both powerful and merciful, demonstrating faith that reverberates through time as a model of submission to divine authority.

In both scenes—Moses descending with the tablets and Jesus coming down as the Word made flesh—we witness the profound depth of God’s authority. Moses brings the law, showing us the standards of a holy life, while Jesus fulfills those standards in grace and truth, bringing salvation to all who believe.

Through these stories, Under Authority invites you to consider how God’s authority is meant to guide us into blessing, peace, and a closer walk with Him. Authority is a divine gift, not only in the family as we see in the commandment to “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12) but in every sphere of life. It is God’s provision to keep us in His care and to shape us in His image.

My prayer is that this commentary will deepen your understanding of God’s order and inspire you to honor the structures He has placed in your life. As we learn to live #under #authority, we step into the protection, wisdom, and love of our #Heavenly Father.

In His Service,  

JK Woodall, Ph.D.