“When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” — Matthew 7:28-29
There’s something different about Jesus’ teaching that made the crowds stop and take notice. It wasn’t just information or religious theory. It was truth spoken with authority that came from a life that perfectly matched the message. The scribes could quote Scripture, but Jesus embodied it. He didn’t just know the truth; He was the Truth. This is why one of our core values must be the authority of Scripture, because God’s Word isn’t just good advice or ancient wisdom. It’s living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, able to pierce our hearts and reveal what’s really going on inside us.
When we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, we’re not just reading a book—we’re submitting to the authority of the One who created us and knows what’s best for us. Think about Martin Luther King Jr., whose work we celebrated this past Monday. Where did he get his authority for non-violence and justice? From Jesus. From Scripture. He didn’t make up his own rules or follow the culture’s shifting standards. He submitted to the authority of God’s Word, and it changed a nation. The same power is available to us when we stop treating the Bible as a suggestion box and start receiving it as our lamp and light, our guide for daily marching orders.
Reflect:
- How would your daily decisions change if you truly believed God’s Word has authority over every area of your life?
- Is there an area where you’re resisting what Scripture clearly teaches? What’s behind that resistance?
- Ask God to increase your hunger for His Word and to help you submit to its authority in the specific areas where you’ve been holding back.
