Matthews Gospel tells us that Jesus was instructing the people in the Temple1. Those to whom he was shewing the things of God had already observed that there was something very different both about his method of teaching and his message.
“He taught them as one having authority and not as the Scribes”, so Mark informs us. Soldiers sent with definite orders to arrest him returned without him, and, with an air of belwilderment, said, “Never man spake like this man”2
Pondering on the record, it is evident that the Chief Priests were resenting the unmistakble rebuff which Jesus had delivered to their rule and cherished authority. It appears they had been receiving very good incomes from their trading and money changing, which they had introduced into the Gentile courts of the Temple. With an holy indignation Jesus had “cast out all them that bought and sold”. Their status in the eyes of the people was immediately lowered ; their pride was injured—and they were angry about it.
It is a vivid picture Matthew gives us of the Scribes approaching Jesus with vehement defiance and pointedly asking him,
“By what kind of authority do you act, and who gave you this authority ?”
The reply of Jesus is marked by a wonderful insight. Moreover, it was couched in terms which were sure to place his questioners in an awkward dilemma. Was the baptism practised by John heaven-sent in its authority, or was it of men ? To affirm that his work and mission was human would have turned the people against them, because the people regarded John as a prophet. Conversely, if they should admit that it was divine, then it was evident that they had resisted a work of God-given authority.
The authority which Christ exhibits is absolutely alone among all the teachers of religion the world has known. His claims are of the very highest, for it is nothing less than to act as an interpreter of God to men in a manner they can comprehend. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” is a very high claim. He opens to the view of men what was previously hidden. He asserts that he is the exclusive way to God. “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
This shews an attitude of privilege which we should, without hestitation, refuse to countenance in the ordinary run of men. In Christ, however, it appears quite proper and certainly what we should expect.
“Of God”
In him we do not perceive inconsistency between his definite teachings (requiring a life of perfection as they do), and that faulty practise which mars even the best of teachers of other world religions.
His life was one which agreed with precept ; truth itself was enshrined in it ; the expression of the purpose and love and power of God. Indeed the authority of Jesus cannot really be successfully argued. It has behind it the power of the Creator himself. Either it was from God, or it was from men ; there cannot be another possibility.
Happy are we if we recognise and accept with the eye of faith that it was God-given, and as such is linked with strength and grace which is available to us today. ”I am with you always”, he said Thus we can see why Jesus spake as he did. These men considered themselves to be the vehicle of God’s authority. It was not really a matter of Jesus’ trying to embarrass his questioners. They ought to have been able to see for themselves that John Baptist was a prophet indeed, and had come in the way of righteousness. Following his testimony they should have appreciated the fact that Jesus was really the God-given way of Truth ; that he was the promised prophet who was greater than Moses, in whom they trusted.come in the way of righteousness. Following the advice of Gamaliel, the Pharisee Doctor of the Law, given to such opposers of truth at a later date, would have been very applicable to them. Faced by the power and authority of God shewn through the works of the early Christian believers, he advised those who opposed them, “I say . . . refrain from these men and let them alone. If this work be of men it will come to nought. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it”.3
If we will apply our hearts to wisdom and listen to, and ponder upon, the words of Jesus with humility, allowing his message of authority to occupy and influence our thoughts, we shall realise that he has the God-given right to command our lives ; and, moreover, in a love towards us which never fails.
The help of the Saviour, who cares for his own so unremittingly, can so strengthen us that no false hopes offered by the schemes and plans of men should ever make us unfaithful in act or speech. He can and will assist us to purge our minds of whatsoever loveth or maketh a lie, and bring us to the perfect freedom which can only come from a knowledge of the Truth as it is in Jesus.
A glorious conviction is this, “all shall acknowledge him from the least unto the greatest”.
So the exercise of Christ’s authority at his return, universal and unfailingly effective, will bring real, abiding peace to the troubled world : contentment instead of strife ; joy instead of worry ; the sunshine of happiness instead of the darkness of despair and mistrust. There will be a paean of praise and sincere worship as the world experiences the marvels of the glory of God being revealed in the earth.
1—Matt. 21. 23-27
2—John 7. 46
3—Acts 5
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One