Sunday 6th October
Read Matthew 7:28-29
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (NIVUK)
The fascinating aspect of the common argument that people make about Jesus being just ‘a great teacher’ is that those who listened to Him certainly didn’t draw that conclusion. He was more than a great teacher, He taught with amazing authority. He taught directly. He did not draw on the conclusions of those who had studied the scriptures before Him.
This ‘authority’ was not simply about not quoting sources, it was divine authority. It was different to anything they had encountered in a very long time. Jesus was declaring what the kingdom of God was like as someone who lived in it and knew it intimately. It was not just amazing, it was confronting.
This ‘authority’ was ultimately confirmed by His resurrection and has been bequeathed to us.
‘Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:18-20) (NIVUK)
Are we proclaiming the message of the kingdom with the vigour and obedience demanded by the One in whom all authority on heaven and earth resides?
