Devotion #2: Speaking with Authority
So, here we are at the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and what a ride it has been, right? Jesus has been dropping truth bombs left and right, challenging the way we think, act, and relate to one another. However, let me tell you, it is not just the content of His message that has got people talking. It is the way He delivers it.
Matthew 7:28-29 says, “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”
I do not know about you, but when I picture Jesus teaching, I imagine it is more than just a guy standing up there reciting some nice words. There is something different about Him. It was something that set Him apart. The people noticed it, too. They were “astonished” at His teaching.
What was it that made Jesus’ teaching so impactful? It was not just the eloquence of His words or the depth of His wisdom, although those were certainly part of it. It was the authority with which He spoke. The religious leaders of the day (the scribes and Pharisees) were all about rules and regulations, but their teaching lacked real authority. It was more like they were just going through the motions, saying what they were supposed to say without any real conviction behind it. It was not the way for Jesus. When He spoke, it was with power and conviction. He did not just talk about God’s Kingdom; He embodied it. That is what made all the difference. Also, the teachers of the Law, back in the day, often cited traditions and quoted authorities to support their arguments. However, Jesus spoke with a new authority: His own. He did not need to quote anyone because He was the original Word.
John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
What does that mean for us today? It means that when we share the message of Jesus with others, whether it is through our words or our actions, we need to do it with that same authority. We need to speak and live in a way that reflects the truth and power of the Gospel. It is not about putting on a show or trying to impress people with fancy words. It is about speaking from the heart, with conviction and sincerity. It is about letting the love of Christ shine through us in everything we do.
As we go about our day today, let us remember the example of Jesus. Let us strive to speak and live with the same authority and conviction that He did, so that others may be astonished at the message of hope and love that we have to share.