Psalm 16:2

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Luke 23. Verse 7 got my attention:

Luke 23:7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

It occurred to me that Jesus’ case was entirely a matter of jurisdiction. Webster defines the word as “The authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate; the right of making or enforcing laws; the power or right of exercising authority. Sphere of authority; the limits within which any particular power may be exercised, or within which a government or a court has authority.” It is used in Luke 23:7 to translate the Greek word ἐξουσία (exousia, pronounced ex-oo-see´-ah). The same word Jesus used when, after His resurrection, He said, “All power (exousia) is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). It speaks of one’s right to rule, or to exercise authority over a realm.

The Jews had limited jurisdiction over Jesus. They could not execute the death penalty (John 18:31). Pilate heard Jesus was from Galilee, and therefore outside his jurisdiction. Herod sent him back to Pilate, presumably releasing his jurisdictional claim, reverting the matter back under Pilate’s jurisdiction. When Pilate asserted his jurisdictional authority over Jesus to kill Him or release Him, Jesus said, “Thou couldest have no power (exousia—jurisdiction) at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin” (John 19:11).*

Along the still waters, as I reflected on the various jurisdictions of power in this world, I recalled the truth that Jesus created all principalities and powers (Colossians 1:16). Princes are appointed to preside over principalities and to exercise the power assigned to them over those principalities. Jesus appointed Satan to be “Prince of this world,” but Jesus demoted him (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and made him prince of the power (exousia—jurisdiction) of the air (Ephesians 2:1-2).

I rejoiced at the thought that Jesus will soon come to invade the principality of the air: “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17), when He will have delivered this body from the evil resident in it (Romans 7:18-21), and from the wickedness in which this world presently lies (1 John 5:19).

In the battle of jurisdictions, we are commanded to give no place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). including any place in our minds (Ephesians 4:23; 2 Corinthians 10:5).

In the valley, I labored to bring down every stronghold Satan might have constructed in my mind, dismantling every thought forming any lying vanity he might use as a platform to support a stronghold, a “place” in my thinking. Jesus spoke approvingly of this exercise: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I must carry on under the jurisdiction established by His Cross and can do so only when I take up mine.

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil, filled my cup with His grace, and led me into His harvest. He commanded goodness and mercy to watch my back!

Praying for revival! 🙏

[*Some think Jesus spoke of GOD as the first provenance of the power Pilate presummed to have over Jesus. Jesus condemned the human agency that delivered Him to Pilate as having “the greater sin.” Indeed, God delivered Jesus to the power of darkness (Romans 8:32; Acts 2:23; see Mark 9:31; Luke 9:44; 24:7). But the power of darkness took Him and crucified Him.]