What
gave Jesus His authority?
Mark 1:21-22 states, “They went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath
came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching,
for he taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
That statement is interesting,
because as teachers, counselors, philosophers and copiers, scribes
held the authority of leadership in their communities. But from the
scripture above, it's obvious that Jesus’s authority was much different than
that of the scribes--Jesus's authority astounded the crowds.
The Revealing Word
defines authority as: rightful power; mastery; or dominion. The Scribes were copyist.
They would copy the ancient Hebrew text and even teach from them, but they
never understood the Truth and power behind those words. Like the scribes, Jesus
was also an expert on the Hebrew texts, but they weren't just simply
words and traditions to him. Jesus not only studied the texts,
but he understood the Truth and Power behind the words. He took to heart the
scripture that proclaims man has been given dominion on earth--- He understood
his rightful power and acknowledged it by saying, "All authority in heaven
and earth has been given to me."
Will we ever have
that kind of certainty? How and when?
Genesis reveals that,
just like Jesus, we are given dominion. Certainty comes when we stop acting
like scribes who merely read, write and talk about that dominion, and start acting
with rightful authority and live it.
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Glimpses of Truth states, “We cannot teach with authority until we are willing to leave
the blackboard for the marketplace, testing our beliefs in the only arena that
counts, everyday life. Jesus Christ calls us to go and do likewise, to put feet
on our prayers and test the ideas we cherish, and then to speak with the authority
such experience will bring.”
Fortunately, Unity
co-founder, Charles Fillmore gave us tools to help develop mastery so we can more
confidently put feet on our prayers. Glimpses of Truth explains, “Fillmore discovered
ideas which he could “assimilate, validate, corroborate and verify” in his own
life. He then, spoke of “going to headquarters,” by which he meant spending
time in contemplative prayer. The insights he received were then tested in the
laboratory of daily living and referred to other Christians for discussions,
testing, and application. His method was pragmatic; truth was truth
because it worked for him.
When we put feet on it, the Truth that worked
for Jesus and Fillmore is the same Truth that will work for us.
Beth, I wonder if the scribes and writers "never understood the Truth and power behind those words" or had a different view of their world. I agree "that Jesus’s authority was much different than that of the scribes" and that appears to be why there was so much conflict in the community. Jesus was definitely a radical for his time. He was willing to "walk his talk" and radicals cause a lot of angst which he certainly did - in the synagogue and among the Romans.
ReplyDeleteYour clarification of the authority is intriguing. Yes, we are made in the image and likeness of God, as was Jesus. We all have the same authority, birthright. etc.
ReplyDeleteYour clarification of the authority is intriguing. Yes, we are made in the image and likeness of God, as was Jesus. We all have the same authority, birthright. etc.
ReplyDeleteThis was the same questions which rattled around in my head this week. The ethos of authority can be understood in so many different ways. Some interpret authority as control and being the master of all they choose. While others see authority as an honor and responsibility to care for others. As with all things it's how we interpret what is ours to do and where we claim the power comes from will alter our perceptions.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a thought provoking dialogue.
Excellent post. Concise and well written, it covers a number of key points from several different and important perspectives and is a useful summary of a key discussion point. This is the basis for an excellent Sunday lesson.
ReplyDeleteI concur, an excellent post. We all the authority, but few of us have the courage required to take it into the market place.
ReplyDelete