He Spoke with Authority

 

Why Did Jesus Talk This Way?

Matthew 7:28-29 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:  (29) For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 

Jesus is often referred to as the Master Teacher.  One of the reasons is due to his use of Parables and illustrations.  He also was very innovative and unconventional in the messages and truths he proclaimed.  Today we are going to focus on the characteristic that is mentioned in our passage today.

Matthew tells us that there was something VERY distinctive…. One might even say troubling about his teachings.  So much so that it caused those present to be Astonished!  The audience was amazed, taken back, almost to say in disbelief.  What was it that caused so much uproar when he spoke?  

He taught as one that Had AUTHORITY!  

When comparing Jesus to any other “expert” or “authority”, he stands worlds above all others.  Some people are called authorities because of the schooling that they underwent.  Some because of the accomplishments.  Jesus’ resume for being an authority speaks for itself.

1.  He Spoke With Authority...The World into Existence. 

Genesis 1:1-3 and John 1:1-3 both speak to Jesus’ integral participation in the creation of the world.  The magnitude of his Power and Authority is evident everywhere we look.  It amazes me every time I think about it that Jesus created each day’s creation by SPEAKING it into existence.

2.  He Spoke With Authority...Evil Spirits Expelled

Luke 4:33-36  I think sometimes it is easy to loose perspective as to the strength of Satan.  We watch movies and such and can get the understanding that Satan is virtually uncontrollable.  But this passage tells us otherwise.  Even though Satan had power to possess man during this time.  Satan nor his demons were any match to the supremacy of Jesus.  Notice the manner in which this unclean spirit cowers to the shear power of Jesus.  And with the simple strength of the Authority of his words of Jesus…The demon obeys the word of Jesus!

3.  He Spoke With Authority...Storms Stilled

Mark 4:36-41   Jesus was able to control the worst of storms with the power of his voice.  The Disciples were literally afraid for their lives.  They even asked Jesus”  “Do you not care that we perish”.  They thought the storm would kill them.  But Jesus SPOKE with AUTHORITY and the storm ceased and the ocean stilled.  Notice too the ease with which he was able to control the storm.  He didn’t have to give it a long speech.  He didn’t have to yell over and over for it to pay attention.  He didn’t have to plead with the storm to go away.  He simply said “Peace be Still”

4.  He Spoke With Authority...Diseases Healed

Luke 7:1-10  Most of Jesus’ healings, he was present to the sick person and made some sort of physical gesture to heal them.  Here we have a unique situation. Without being present...without Jesus laying his hands on the sick person…Or doing any other miraculous ACT…He requested that Jesus heal his friend with the command of his voice.  This man truly understood that Jesus Spoke with Authority.  He realized that Jesus had the authority to speak but a word and his friend could be completely disease free.  

With the same power that Jesus Spoke the World into Existence, Spoke Sins Forgiven, Spoke Evil Spirits Expelled, Spoke Storms Stilled, and Spoke Diseases Healed…Jesus speaks to us the will of God!   So...what’s the point to mention that Jesus Spoke with Authority?  When I read this phrase,  It reminds me of the old TV Commercial for E.F. Hutton, the stock brokerage company.  The tag line for everyone of their commercials is:  “When E. F. Hutton talks, people listen”.  Likewise, because Jesus speaks with such authority, We OUGHT listen to him.  Not just casually hear...But REALLY Listen.  Will we Heed to the authority of the word of Jesus?

Reflecting the SON, 

Dennis Hogan

dennis.hogan@icloud.com

Questions, comments or  further explanation?  Contact me at:  dennis.hogan@icloud.com