Now when Jesus had finished saying these words, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as their scribes.
Matthew 7:29-29 (NRSVue)
This ends Matthew's presentation of the Sermon on the Mount with the crowds (and the listener) being astounded. There was plenty of material in this sermon to astonish us if you look from the mindset of casual public thinking as opposed to what Jesus is telling us.
It is stated that Jesus teaches with authority and this is the first time in Matthew's gospel that this concept is mentioned. Jesus is contrasted with the scribes who seem to lack authority. The dichotomy would have been normal within that time frame as different rabbis vied for the people's consideration with various interpretations of scripture.
We see further contrast throughout Matthew's Gospel. In chapter 8, verse 20, Matthew records Jesus speaking about his itinerancy by stating, "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." In Matthew 23:6-7, when speaking about the scribes, Jesus says, "They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to have people call them rabbi."
The authority of Jesus may also come from him being "one of the people" and not holding himself above the crowds.
As I think about authority related to Jesus, I'm also reminded of a passage we often attribute to the character of Jesus from Isaiah. Chapter 9, verses 6-7b says, "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom."
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| Hopefully, our submission to Jesus is a little less resistant! |
So authority from the original context surrounds the likely birth of a king in Isaiah's time. Some have suggested it refers to Hezekiah but other scholars think it may refer to some other crown prince in the line of David. Of course, since Handel's "Messiah" was popularized, it is hard for Christians to read it without thinking of Jesus.
Later in Matthew, Jesus gives authority to the disciples to heal and set the world right.
And then, Jesus has his authority questioned by the chief priests (who were authority figures in their own right).
Finally, Matthew ends his gospel with the Great Commissioning. Just prior, the risen Christ states, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
When I was ordained, the bishop said to me, "Take thou authority as an elder in the Church to preach the Word of God, and to administer the Holy Sacraments."
What authority is Jesus passing to you as a disciple as we continue in Lent? How does living out the Sermon on the Mount give you the authority to set the world right? Or at least your corner of it?
Prayer for the day: We thank you, God, for raising up among us faithful servants for ministry in your Church. Clothe each of us with your righteousness that comes from being in Christ. Help us to understand that being in Christ means to live more often with the lessons from the Sermon on the Mount as a fundamental part of our identity. May we each take our authority from this designation to give life to all we meet. In Christ we pray. Amen.
Photo by Liga Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu via Flickr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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