Matthew 7.28 and following

"Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowd were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes." (Matt 7.28-29)

During chapters 5, 6 and 7 Matthew has led us through Jesus' ethical teaching in the 'Sermon on the Mount'. Here though, Matthew is ready to lead us into a new section, driving home a different emphasis. The key word is found in verse 29 and regularly over the following chapters. It is 'authority'. In the above verses Matthew is showing us that the authority of Jesus' teaching was unmatched, as was recognised by those gathered to hear him (verse 28). But Jesus' authority does not end with teaching. He is not merely the mouthpiece of God. Jesus in fact is here to heal as well as to preach. In his ministry these two elements are indivisible. Tragically, his disciples (i.e. us) are the ones who have separated teaching and healing and do so to this day.

To illustrate this point Matthew leads us through a series of healings, which demonstrate to us that Jesus has authority over physical sickness where he is present (Matt 8.1-4) and even when he is absent (8.5-13). Where there is faith present great things can be done in his name. In verse 23 we see that his authority does not merely extend to the physical realm. He is also Lord over nature itself and so he is able to still a storm.

Moreover, he commands opposing demonic forces to do whatever he pleases. This Jesus is Lord of all things and the word that keeps cropping up in Matthew's account is 'authority'. What does it take to participate in this authority? Faith. This was the key ingredient to see Jesus' authority at work then and nothing has changed. Faith can be interpreted in many ways but what I would suggest it is pointing towards here is a 'reliance on the authority of Jesus'. So to see Jesus work in the world simply need to believe that he can and will work in the world - indeed he is working in the world.

The church is in desperate need of this sort of faith in this present age. We need to come to see Jesus for who he is again. We have, I believe, spent far too long concentrating on the problems in the world and far too little time looking at the solution, the Lord of all, even the Lord of death. There is no crisis, economic, spiritual, physical or otherwise that he does not have Lordship over. Let us ask him to show us who he is once again.