Jesus Taught as One with Authority Matthew 7:29

Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-nine of his book, Matthew shared the reason why, “the people were astonished at his doctrine” where we read:

For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

The verse reads, “For he taught them as one having authority, ...” Matthew began with the word, “for” or “because, since and on account that” “he taught them” which means “Jesus imparted and instilled instruction and doctrine toward the disciples and the people below Him on the mountain” “as one” or “as a person” “having authority” or “who holds, possesses and owns power, permission, ability, strength and right or privilege”. Jesus spoke to the disciples with “power, liberty, influence, right and privilege“.

The verse continues, “... and not as the scribes.” Matthew added the words, “and not as” or “and not similar to, in likeness or even as” “the scribes” which means “men who were learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings and served as interpreters or teachers”. The people who heard Jesus speak noticed that Jesus' superior “style” and “position” was much different than the “scribes” who previously taught them.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus did not teach in the same manner as the “scribes” who usually taught the people. Many times the “scribes” would refer to other men as they taught such as, “Priest so and so says” or “scribe so and so wrote”, etc. Jesus, however, spoke His words from His own position of “authority”, and the people recognized it. People who are wise shall not only listen to what Jesus declared, but also know that He is the absolute “power and strength” unto whom all people should submit their lives and yield. May all who read these words know the “authority” by which Jesus taught, and ask Him to teach them with His great “authority” today.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see what happens when Jesus came, “down from the mountain”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.