There is this story about the High School teacher who injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It was form fitted to fit under his shirt and was not noticeable. The first day of school he still had the cast on. He looked at his class roster and realized he’d been assigned to the toughest students in school.
He walked into the classroom, which was already rowdy and noisy. All the students were talking and laughing and either acted like he wasn’t there or looked at him with disdain, daring him to say something, anything. The teacher walked over and opened a window as wide as possible and then started working at his desk. Several times, a strong breeze made his tie flip up into his face. Finally, he reached over, picked up the stapler and stapled the tie to his chest in three places and then continued working. The class immediately quieted down and he did not have any discipline problems that entire year. (1) That is exerting authority without saying anything.
In today’s passage, the people were absolutely amazed at the authority of Jesus and his teachings.
Of course today, we see different kinds of authority.
There is Parental Authority. Until a certain age, parents have 100% authority over their children. I remember growing up, when my parents told me to be home at 11 P.M. I’d better be home on or before that time.
Then there is this authority we see in the military. You do what your officer tells you to do. You eat, sleep, walk, talk, and go to the bathroom when he tells you to.
Walter Anderson tells how as a young Marine, his fingers were crushed in an accident. They were swollen and immobile for a few days. As the swelling went down, the doctor ran some tests to measure the extent of his injuries. The doctor said, “Try to move the first finger of your right hand.” Walter tried, but couldn’t move it. But Walter’s platoon sergeant, who was standing nearby, stepped forward. He looked at Walter and commanded loudly, “move the first finger of your right hand now!” And Walter moved that finger. (1)
Then there’s the authority of Age. Sometimes there are those whom we cherish and whose wisdom and authority come simply from their age. They’ve lived longer than anyone we know, they’ve experienced more and seen more than anyone else and their opinion carries great weight. It might be a parent or grandparent or a trusted member of a congregation.
There was this lady who celebrated her 100th birthday while I was serving this one church. She was one of those faithful members who were there every Sunday, unless she was sick or it was too cold for her to get out. She was deaf but had a radiant smile for everybody. The kids just loved her especially when she would bring some cookies.
One Sunday we had one of those holy moments, when everybody just stopped to listen. One of the little girls stood up in the pew next to her and shouted in her good ear, “If you cannot hear the sermon or the music, why do you still come to church?”
Everyone was silent and all ears were on her. With one of those radiant grins, she patted the little girl on the hand and said, “Well, honey, I want just everyone to know whose side I’m on.” This 100 year-old woman gave a sermon with the voice of experience and the authority of her years.
Then there is the authority of Knowledge. Sometimes we respect people because we know they know more than we do. That is why we have consultants. That is also why we respect our teachers. A perfect example is Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid. Remember, Daniel was the new kid who was bullied by a bunch of thugs who knew karate. He discovers that the apartment handyman knows karate and asks him to teach him. Mr. Miyagi agrees but then has Daniel doing a series of what appears to be meaningless tasks like painting the fence and waxing cars.
In reality, Mr. Miyagi was training Daniel’s muscles for the karate moves. Teachers, professors, doctors, lawyers are invested with considerable authority because they have knowledge that we would like to have or we’d like our children to have.
Then there is the authority of a Position and a Person. That is why we are greatly disappointed when the former president of the Philippines or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is accused of violating the laws of our country. Or if the pastor does something that is morally wrong, we get disappointed and sometimes angry. Here is a person whom we respect and willfully violates what is right.
However, if we look at the authority of Jesus, it was more than all these. People around him said,” he spoke with authority.”
As a carpenter, Jesus may not have any positional authority in the community. But his authority came from his wisdom and knowledge and his competence at interpreting God’s Word. Of course the people in Capernaum could not know that his authority came from a more important source. All they knew is that they had never heard an individual teach like Jesus taught. He was not arrogant or prideful, he just carried himself and presented himself in such a way that it set him apart. His words sprang from the heart and they resonated with power and authenticity. And that’s what amazed his listeners.
There were no tricks or false promises to get folks to open up their wallets to support his ministry. There was no phony manipulation. Jesus was truly concerned about everyone who came to hear him. Jesus wanted them to understand, to know, to learn about God’s love and forgiveness. He was so concerned that he risked himself and shared himself with everyone he met. He cared for the people. Thus, they said to one another, “He teaches as one who has authority, not as the teachers of the law.
As we start the University Christian Life Emphasis Week, have you invited Jesus, the One who spoke with authority, to be the rock upon which to stand and build your life? And this Jesus who spoke with authority needs to be shared with others as well.
One year a new missionary came to the school who began to develop close relationships with the students, including Palmer. Eventually the missionary led this young Nigerian to Christ. Palmer Ofuoku explained the missionary’s influence like this: “He built a bridge of friendship to me, and Jesus walked across.” (2) “He built a bridge of friendship to me, and Jesus walked across.” That’s what you and I should be doing each day of our lives building bridges of friendship to the people around us so that Jesus may walk across. There may be challenges along the way. But remember the UCLEW theme, “Be strong and take courage!” Go my friends. Share the Jesus whom we believe. Share the Jesus whom we worship. Share the Jesus whose life resonated with power and authority.
