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.
The teachers in the days of Jesus’s life here on earth did as many scholars do today: they cited prior research to build a case. The difference between conversation around the Torah and other areas of research was the stagnation of its growth. It was a rarity for any teacher of the Torah to bring up new ideas.*
Then Jesus stepped on the scene.
Jesus didn’t cite prior rabbis; Jesus cited Himself. “I say unto you” was a common phrase for Jesus before His teaching. Jesus spoke with an authority from above, not from peers or predecessors. He spoke with this authority because He was under the authority of His Father in Heaven.
I’ve heard it said that to have authority, one must be under authority. To speak with authority as a rabbi and be heard, you had to reference rabbi’s of old and their thoughts on the Torah.* This placed you under their authority, thus giving you authority. Jesus understood this: He had all authority from His Father.
There are many voices in this world. These voices tell us who we are, what we should and should not do, how to feel, and how to treat others. Many times these voices do not even cite the teachers of old. They simply appeal to our emotions and leverage our waning sensibilities.
Who have you given authority to in your life? This will determine the authority in which you live.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to recognize the authority of Jesus. Perhaps today you need to start valuing and paying attention to His voice above the rest. Maybe it’s time to learn from Him in areas that you never considered that He might be the authority in.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 183–185, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 7:28-29) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).