The Authority of Christ
Matthew 7:28-29 – “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
The People Were Astonished
At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Christ left his audience in awe. This is not an isolated occurrence. In John 7, the chief priests and Pharisees sent soldiers to arrest Christ. The soldiers went to arrest Christ, but came back empty handed. “Why have ye not brought Him?” the Pharisees asked. “Never a man spake like this man,” they replied.
In Matthew 22, Christ is repeatedly tempted. He is questioned by the Pharisees and Sadducees, as they were expecting to entangle Him in His talk. His answers so soundly silenced them that they “durst [dared] not ask Him any more questions!”
The Reason for their Astonishment – Authority
We are told explicitly why the people were astonished – “For He taught them as one having authority.” The scribes simply expounded on the Law of Moses; but Christ was able to go further than that.
It is vital, at this point, to clearly define authority. A related term is “power.” Though “power” and “authority” are related, they are not synonymous. Power is ammunition. If I have a gun on my side, I have power. However, when I pull out the badge, I am then showing that, not only do I have power, but I have the authorization, or authority, to use that power. Webster defines “authority” as “legal power, or a right to command or act.” Christ could say, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” But Christ also had every right to use such power. He never usurped authority; it was rightfully His.
Christ’s Authority Expressed
What was it that Christ said in His Sermon on the Mount that proved His authority to the people? Which statements was it that caused the jaws of the hearers to drop? Christ showed His authority clearly at least six times in this historical sermon.
Six times, all in Matthew 5, Jesus said, “Ye have heard…” He would then tell them something that they had heard in the Old Testament Law of Moses. Then He followed that statement with the words, “…but I say unto you…” Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with the Old Testament scripture. The fact that we are not under the Law of Moses is a truth indeed. But the reason we are not under the law is not because the law is bad. Everything written by Moses was inspired by God (II Timothy 3:16). Paul said that the law is good (I Timothy 1:8) and the commandment is holy (Romans 7:12).
Imagine if I were to get up and say, “The Bible says…but I say…” What do you think would happen? I would get opposition, to say the least. Those who heard me make such a statement would answer, “Who do you think you are?” Christ, however, has the authority to make such statements, for He is the One who inspired Moses to write the law.
Christ did not claim that the law was wrong, or that the words of Moses were faulty. He does, however, show that the words of Moses should be applied to the heart, not just to deeds or actions. For example, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said in the law, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ But I say unto you, that he who is angry with his brother without a cause is in danger of the judgment.” The Old Testament dealt with the ACTION of murder. Christ, however, deals with anger in the heart. The man who is seething with anger has the same thing in his heart that the murderer has in his.
Christ, in Matthew 5:27-28, says, “You have heard it said, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ But I say unto you, that if you look on a woman with lust, you have committed adultery in your heart.” The man who looks with lust has the same impurity in his heart that the adulterer has in his.
Oh, the wisdom of Christ! Christ knew that if His principles here would be followed, so many heartaches would be prevented! Christ was not trying at all to be mean, but He was making an attempt to prevent a catastrophe! You see, if a man can conquer his problem with lust while it is in the form of lust, he will not have to repair a broken family later! If a man can conquer his anger while it is anger, he will never sit in a prison cell wondering how he lost his cool to the point of murder! This wisdom and authority left the people in utter amazement!
Christ’s Authority Demonstrated
While on the mountain, Christ SPOKE with authority. In Matthew 8, Christ finishes His sermon, and comes down from the mountain. Oh, how we’d love to stay on the mountain with Christ. But we are not granted that privilege. At times, we have mountaintop experiences, and thank God for them. We have times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord. We have times alone with God when it seems that our troubles are diminished. There are times when we go to God’s house and the worship and the preaching refreshes us. Thank God for these times! But if we are followers of Christ, we cannot stay there, for Christ always comes down off the mountain. Peter, James, and John were with Christ on the mountain when His face shown and He spoke with Moses and Elijah. “Let us build three tabernacles,” Peter hurriedly spoke. But the Lord would hear nothing of it! One preacher said that the man who wants to build three tabernacles has never financed one! Christ did not authorize a building project on the mountain. Dear friends, as long as we’re in this world, we are not moving to the mountain!
So Christ descends from the mountain to where the people live. I am so glad that what we received on the mountain will work in the valley! Everything Christ preached on the mountain can be put to the test by those in the valley – and it was!
In Matthew 8, the first trouble Christ encounters is a diseased man – a leper. This leper’s flesh is being consumed with leprosy. The leper takes the initiative to speak to Christ. “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Christ answered, “I will; be thou clean.” And immediately he was healed. Christ has authority over the diseased.
Then Christ meets a soldier whose servant was sick. The soldier bids Christ to speak the word only, and his servant would be healed. Again, Christ showed that He not only speaks with authority; but He also acts in authority. Christ spoke the word, and the servant was healed. Again, it is clearly seen that Christ has authority over disease!
Then, our Lord comes to the house of Peter, whose mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Christ heals her, again affirming His authority over sickness.
Christ then bids his disciples to enter a ship to “go over to the other side.” After boarding the ship, a storm arises. We know that Christ has authority over disease, but what about disaster? By this time, our faith is enriched as to Christ’s authority over sickness, but what about storms? Christ stilled the winds and waves, and again, the people were amazed because Christ has authority, not only over disease, but also over disaster!
When Christ and the disciples arrive on the other side, there is a man possessed with devils. We have seen Christ’s authority over disease and disaster, but about devils? Christ cast out the devils!
Friend, there is no enemy over which Christ does not have authority! You can trust Him with disease, disaster, or devils! His authority is over all!
