WORDS OF AUTHORITY

It is interesting that the teaching of Jesus is often called ‘words.’ When he finished the Sermon on the Mount the text says, “the result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29; Mark 1:22). Obviously His words were going way beyond the normal scribe teaching, the normal synagogue service, beyond the average preacher, beyond the average ‘worship service.’ He was bringing words of life into the cemetery of religion. He was bringing ‘breath to the dry bones.’

There is a consistency in the gospel theme about His words and those who hung upon those words:
“And it came about that when Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples” (Matthew 26:1).
“And it came about that when Jesus had finished all these words He departed from Galilee” (Matthew 19:1).
‘And when the multitude heard this they were astonished at His teaching’ (Matthew 22:33).

Everyone was amazed at the teaching of Jesus because it was full of life instead of religion.

“The words I say are not my own but are from my Father who lives in me. And he does his work through me.” Jesus