For He taught them as one that had authority.
Conviction of Christ’s authority through His servant’s teaching
Francis Junius the younger was a considerable scholar, but by no means prejudiced in favour of the Scriptures, as appears by his own account, which is as follows:-“My father, who was frequently reading the New Testament, and had long observed with grief the progress I had made in infidelity, had put that book in my way in his library, in order to attract my attention, if it might please God to bless his design, though without giving me the least intimation of it. Here, therefore, I unwittingly opened the New Testament, thus providentially laid before me. At the very first view, as I was deeply engaged in other thoughts, that grand chapter of the evangelist and apostle presented itself to me (John 1:1-51): ‘In the beginning was the Word,’ etc. I read part of the chapter and was so affected that I instantly became struck with the divinity of the argument, and the majesty and authority of the composition, as infinitely surpassing the highest flights of human eloquence. My body shuddered, my mind was in amazement, and I was so agitated the whole day that I scarcely knew who I was. Thou didst remember me, O Lord my God, according to Thy boundless mercy, and didst bring back the lost sheep to Thy flock. From that day God wrought so mightily in me by the power of His Spirit, that I began to have less relish for all other studies and pursuits, and bent myself with greater ardour and attention to everything which had a relation to God.”
An earnest Preacher and an astonished congregation
I. The earnest preacher.
1. He recognized the Sabbath as the time for worship.
2. He recognized instruction as the best method of preaching.
3. He discarded all formality.
II. As astonished congregation. “Astonished at His doctrine.”
1. Because it was new to them.
2. Because they instinctively felt it to be true. (Joseph S. Exell, M. A.)
The authority of Christ
I. Let us ask how Christ’s authority was asserted and claimed.
1. By the tone of His teaching.
2. By His ministerial acts, e.g., the cleansing of the temple. This assumption of rightful power led to the inquiry of the chief priests and elders-“By what authority,” etc. He was the Lord of the temple because He was Son of God.
3. By His miracles. “With authority and power commandeth He the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
4. By the exercise of the Divine prerogative of pardoning sin, e.g., in the cure of the paralytic.
II. Consider upon what Christ’s authority is based. Christ’s authority is not based upon force, or craft, or popular regard; but upon right and upon conscience. When questioned, He answered inquiry by inquiry, and boldly declared, “Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”
1. His words are authoritative because they are true.
2. His commands, because they are righteous.
3. He wields the personal authority of peerless love. In all, His authority is Divine, as He is.
III. Inquire over whom and over what Christ’s authority extends.
1. Nature knew it.
2. Satan confessed it.
3. Angels recognized it, ministered to His wants, and stood ready to rescue and to honour Him.
4. Men felt it.
IV. Remark the advantages which follow the acknowledgment of Christ’s authority.
1. For the individual, the fulfilment of his true being, the harmony of obedience with liberty.
2. For the human race, its one only sure and Divine hope-“In the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.”
V. Observe how Christ’s authority affects all hearers of the gospel. The message of heaven is, indeed, an invitation and a premise. But it is also a command. (J. R. Thompson, M. A.)
The teaching of Christ
I. The subjects He taught.
1. He taught the doctrines of religion.
2. He taught the nature and necessity of experimental religion.
3. He taught the necessity of practical religion.
He stated that obedience was the only evidence of true discipleship, etc.
II. How He taught these things.
1. With direct plainness.
2. He was a faithful and earnest teacher (Matthew 23:1-39).
3. He was an affectionate and tender teacher. He did not break the bruised reed, etc.
4. He was a diligent and persevering teacher.
5. He embodied all His instructions in His own blessed example.
Application:
1. True Christians are Christ’s disciples. They hear Him. This is both a duty and a privilege.
2. Whosoever will not hear Him must perish-“How shall we escape,” etc. (J. Burns, D. D.)
Christ the model of the Christian ministry
I. His doctrine.
1. View His doctrine of God.
2. His doctrine of man.
(1) Responsibility.
(2) Man’s corrupt and sinful state.
II. His manner was in perfect harmony with the matter of His instruction.
1. The leading characteristic of our Saviour’s manner as a public teacher was earnestness.
2. The earnestness of Christ was evinced in the simplicity of His teachings.
3. The earnestness of Jesus was further evinced by the consistency of His life with His doctrine.
4. The earnestness of Jesus was still further manifested in the decision and boldness of His manner.
5. His tenderness. (J. A. Copp.)
The authority of our Lord’s teaching
I. Authority of goodness. Invitations. Beatitudes.
II. Authority of greatness. Claims universal audience. Superiority to Jonah, Solomon, and all the great names of the Jewish Church. Teaching declarative and dogmatic.
III. Authority of solemnity. His peculiar formula. His denunciations of woe.
IV. Legislative authority. Revises the Mosaic code. Asserts His superiority to law. Repeals existing economy. Controls laws of nature Himself, and confers the power on others. “I say unto you,” His new commandment. Not only enacts laws, but ensures obedience. Conclusion: His teaching exempt from all supposable circumstances unfavourable to authoritative teaching. Taught with the perfect conviction of the truth of His doctrine. His example enforced it. Cordial sympathy with it. Knew the ultimate principles on which His doctrines rested. And the supreme value of the truth He taught. The purity of His motives. The ultimate triumph of His doctrine. All this must have clothed His teaching, especially when contrasted with the prevailing mode of Jewish instruction, with commanding power. His disciples should be distinguished by reverence and docility. These dispositions to be sought and found at the throne of grace. (J. Harris, D. D.)
Christ’s authority largely derived from His moral atmosphere
The weight and impressiveness of a man’s words largely depend ripen his air, his atmosphere, the mysterious efflux, exhalation, aerial development of his personality, the moral aroma of his character. This subtle influence can only be felt, and cannot be defined. Enter the assembly when young Summerfield is speaking, and there is upon you a power which it is the highest luxury and dearest blessing to feel. There is incense here, and the smell of sacrifice. It fills the entire space from the rafters downwards to the floor; nay, it pierces the walls and issues from the doors. And what shall we imagine concerning the atmosphere of that wonderful Being, who spoke as never man spake? It was not His look, nor His declamation, nor His fine periods; it was not even His prodigious weight of matter; but it was the sacred exhalation of His quality, the aroma, the auroral glory of His person. This is what invested Him with unimpeachable authority, lent to His words spirit and life, and gave to His doctrine its astonishing power. He took the human nature to exhale an atmosphere of God that should fill and finally renew the creation, bathing all climes, and times, and ages with its dateless, ineradicable power. (H. Bushnell, D. D.)
Ministerial authority
I. Men will teach well only as they teach under Christ.
II. Authority is impossible apart from association with the Master.
III. Authority of love must come from intensity of conviction.
IV. Hearers know the voice of authority.
V. The Christian teacher is to show his supremacy over all other teachers. (J. Parker, D. D.)