For Saturday, February 18, 2023:
Matthew 7:28-29 NLT: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.”
Jesus finally concluded his Sermon on the Mount, practical instruction on how God wanted his people to live. The people were amazed! Other religious teachers of the day spoke with no authority, simply wanting to tell others what to do. But to those who heard him, Jesus’ words appeared to be divinely inspired! His words still appear to be divinely inspired when we read them nowadays!
Many scribes taught about traditions, most thought up by other men, but Jesus’ authority came straight from his Father in Heaven. Hearing teaching directly from God’s own Son was both new and amazing! Jesus taught with authority lacking in other teachers of the day!
It was a moment of clarification in my life when I first heard someone refer to the Sunday Sermon as “teaching.” I always felt inadequate telling others how to live when my own life had not been stellar. But with teaching as a goal, I can let the congregation know what Jesus did, what Jesus said and what’s written in our Bibles. Their response becomes not following my words, but instead following the model of our Savior! When in doubt, just do what Jesus did!
Jesus’ words are better than my words!
Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus in the City Fellowship
