When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Summary: As we prepare to study the Lord’s Prayer, it is helpful to conclude our mediation on who is teaching us this prayer with a look at Jesus’ authority to teach.
These first few meditations have been all about Jesus: Who is he? Why should we listen to him? The answer is that Jesus is the most important and powerful person who ever lived. He is God himself, Creator of All Things, King of kings and Lord of lords, and he is the Son of God the Father.
Matthew makes note of this at the end of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” He tells us that Jesus teaches differently than the teachers of the law. Instead, Jesus teaches “as one who had authority.”
What is the difference? How do we tell if someone is teaching with authority or without?
Jesus speaks to this when he talks about false prophets. He says:
“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16-20)
What was Jesus’ fruit?
- He knew the scriptures and understood them better than the Pharisees or teachers of the law.
- He was every bit as meek and humble as he told others they should be.
- He did things that no teacher of the law could do. Good things. He healed people and fed them.
- Nobody could point to anything he did that was not in line with God’s Word.
By contrast, everyone knew that the Pharisees and teachers of the law were jealous of Jesus because of the signs he did and the crowds that followed him. The Jewish leaders taught peace but were plotting murder. Whenever they debated Jesus about the Scriptures, they ended up tongue-tied and embarrassed.
Maybe you are looking for an online video about crypto or how to paint your house. Are you trying to decide which news channel to listen to or which paper to read? Whatever you watch or read, you probably want someone who knows what they are talking about. But how do you know? How do you choose?
Choosing which video to watch on repairing your lawnmower is not a “life or death” choice. If the guy who made the video is only half right, it is not the end of the world. But what about issues that are “end of the world” issues? What about passages like Matthew 7: 21-23:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
What Jesus has to say is important and authoritative. We should listen, and we should do what he says.
Application: Think about where you put Jesus in your mind. Is he the center of your life or have you stuck him in a closet?
Food for Thought: Where does true authority come from?
I think about that word “authority.” What come to mind is the definition: “The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.” It is easy to confuse authority over control. Someone can design a software program, and lose authority over its application (legally), but the designer will always have the capability to “get back into the coding” because that person understands the design better than anyone else.
True authority comes from God, as our Creator and designer, He not only has the power and control over every physical and spiritual thing in the universe, but He designed them. Everything about the universe once existed in the mind of God before He spoke them into existence. No matter what anyone tries to do, He will always have the authority to shut it down, or fix it when it’s broken.
What I like about today’s blog is that it reminded me that Jesus, who is also God, still derives His authority from God. When Jesus speaks of His authority, he submits to God:
Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'” It reminds me that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one, but separate. Jesus does not act outside of Gods Will, His authority. If Jesus acted outside of God’s Will, then it would have not been possible for Jesus to cover our sin.
Chris,
Well said. Your conclusion points to the reason Jesus/God conceived the Lord’s Prayer the way it is written. We need to submit to the Father’s authority just as Jesus did.
The first verse I thought of was Matthew 28: 18 – which Chris quoted. Jesus has been given all authority. Our authority comes from Him and His word. As someone who preaches frequently, I am always keenly aware that my authority is the accurate handling of God’s word. I have no authority. But God’s word is truth and I can teach it as authoritative for life and faith. Jesus is the word made flesh (John 1: 1, 14), true authority comes from Him.
Rich,
Your submission to God’s Word and His Authority is a hallmark of your preaching. It allows God’s light to shine through your words in a wonderfully “enlightening” way.
10-14-2022, Where does true authority come from?
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
Romans 13:1-2
Ron,
You remind me that Jesus himself submitted to the “lawful” authorities of his time, even though what they did to him was unlawful.
Great Point Jeff!