Believers and unbelievers alike acknowledge that Jesus was a master teacher. That is nothing new. In his own day people made similar assessments. “They were amazed at his teaching” (Luke 4:32). Their response was often dramatic. Some eagerly dropped their nets to follow him (Matthew 4:20). Others just as eagerly wanted to drop Jesus over the nearest cliff (Luke 4:29). What was it that amazed, astonished, and even antagonized so many people?
Jesus’ Secret
Was it his great stories? Jesus could surely tell a good story. Was it that his teaching was so new and different? Though he did not come to abolish the Law, he certainly filled that Law with new and deeper meaning. But what amazed people most was not his stories or insight, but his authority (Luke 4:32). Jesus ended his most famous sermon by talking about “he who hears these words of mine!” (Matthew 7:26).Most rabbis would quote the prophets. Jesus quoted himself! This kind of boldness got him in trouble. “What gives you the right to speak with such authority?” they would ask. Jesus answered simply. “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me” (John 7:16).
Who Has Sent You?
When you have been sent, you have the authority of the one who sent you. Jesus spoke with the authority of God because it was God who sent him. Jesus told his disciples, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you!” (John 20:21, New Living Translation). We’ve been sent with a bold message to declare to our world. We would be wise to remember where our authority lies. Christian philosopher Elton Trueblood said, “Some choose to stand on the Bible. I prefer to stand under it.”When we speak to others, we will not always be right, for we are only disciples and often misunderstand our teacher. But we will never go wrong if when we speak it is clear to others that our authority is not in us, but in the one who has sent us. |L
David Langford ministers with the Quaker Avenue Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. He and his wife Lisa have three children: Trent, Devon, and Abbey.
