And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Matthew 7:28-29
Jesus’ teachings are not some school boy’s recital of theoretical ways to live our lives. They are authoritative, practical commands with real life consequences on the line. Safety and stability result for those who live by them and loss waits for the opportune time to strike those who don’t. This is not a promise of sunny skies for followers. Paul tells that the rain and the sunshine fall on the just and the unjust. In the parable that Jesus told to astonish the people the storm came upon both those who had obeyed His teaching and those who hadn’t. The difference was that the ones who had followed His were left with the structure of their life’s work still standing. Jesus wasn’t embarrassed to tell the people in this narrative that His teachings were foundational.
This authority also reveals our faith. Hebrews 11:6 says that we need to believe in God’s reward as well as in His existence. Many believe in Jesus as a good man/prophet/life teacher. But those who believe in Him as Lord will not only listen to what He says they will do it. There will be no “But, Lord” at the beginning of their response. “But, Lord” is a contradictory term, and oxy-moron that only shows He is not Lord but a coach or advisor. Jesus is telling us that we have to believe there is reward in living out His “sayings”. We are assured that we will become stable and secure at the level we obey His commands in practical living. Since we are committed to follow Jesus then we need to decide that He is Lord and not just an advisor to get a highly regarding opinion from in tough times. We must obey Him. That is the definition of Him being Lord.
Yes To ALL He Has,
Pastor Jason
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