Matthew
7:24-29
“…the crowds were amazed
at his teaching, because he taught as one
who had authority, and not as their teachers
of the law.”
(Matthew
7:28b-29)
On more than one occasion, the gospels speak of the
crowd’s amazement in the aftermath of Jesus’ teaching. Something was different. Matthew tells us that the difference was the
authority with which he spoke. He didn’t
speak of a way that others paved before him; he was the way. He wasn’t simply
relaying truths handed down from generation to generation; he was truth. He didn’t address life as a temporal treasure
to be used up; he was life. Some were
appalled at his presumption…others were amazed by his
authority.
In a series of passages across John’s gospel, Jesus used
the first person pronoun, “I,” to speak of his identity and mission. “I am the bread of life…I am the light of the
world…I am the gate…I am the good shepherd…I am the resurrection and the
life…” He spoke of real life experiences
in the stories he told, as seen in today’s text. But he wasn’t simply relaying events to make a
point; his authority communicated a purpose and intentionality that captured the
attention and stirred the hearts of those who
listened.
His words still speak authoritatively, if one takes the
time to read and truly listen to them.
Prayer: May I allow your word to speak with authority to
my life today, Lord. Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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