With Authority 

   “They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes." (Mark 1: 21 – 28) 

   What does it mean that Jesus taught with authority?  In my mind it says that He is the authority and therefore, His teaching is fresh and brand new.

   The scribes taught with the words and thoughts of others.  They would not have dared venture into new views and opinions concerning religion and faith.  Had they done so they would have likely been condemned as blasphemers, subject to stoning.

   But Jesus was not a scribe or Pharisee or Sadducee, He was the Son of God, the Word made flesh.  He was not preaching new thoughts or ideas but clarifying the meaning and intent of the teachings that had been with the Israelites since Moses was given the commandments.

   Jesus often used phrases such as “you have heard it said, but I say to you.”  He did not change the words, but enhanced and clarified the meaning.  He took the teaching of love for one’s neighbor to new levels that would have been foreign and unwelcome in Roman occupied Israel, “But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute  you.” (Matt 55: 44).

   When your whole life has been dominated by the teaching of those who did not think for themselves but merely passed along the thoughts of others, someone who shakes up the tree with new and unfamiliar ways of looking at life and faith confuses and alienates some.

   Yes, Jesus taught with authority because He is the authority.  It is from Him that those teachings originated, and it was His mission to open the eyes of the spiritually blind as well as the physically blind.  Read His words and listen with your heart, not your head, and you will bring meaning and clarity to your life.