Teaching with Authority

Recently my wife and I attended college orientation with my youngest son. Next month, we will have two sons attending school full time. As I observed the campus and how young the incoming freshmen looked, I could not help but make a few observations. My college and seminary days seemed to be so long ago! College is expensive. We will be paying bills for a long time to come. There is a certain amount of sadness in seeing your children become more independent, although that is one of the primary goals in raising them. I also could not help notice that they will be learning a lot from a totally different perspective than their parents who both graduated from Christian colleges. The view of Jesus will be very much in contrast from what I learned from a Biblical worldview. Anthropology will be one of his classes. He will no doubt learn about mankind being basically good and that we evolved from monkeys, among other teaching that would make me cringe. My prayer is that both of my sons will be able to discern truth from error based on what they learned from their parents and the church as they grew up.

A key theme in the book of John is “life.” Jesus claimed to be the life and the source of eternal life. As those around him observed his actions and heard his teachings they had to make some life decisions. Would they believe that Jesus was who he said he was? Would they trust that his teachings were from God and that he spoke with authority as God’s Son? As the crowds became smaller, the rulers of the time intensified their debates and pursuit of Jesus.

During the Feast of Booths, as recorded in John 7, Jesus began teaching in the temple. Of course, he looked young for a rabbi and did not dress like one. He did not carry around a diploma of any kind. While he appeared to be ordinary, his teaching was certainly not.

The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught? ”Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me (John 7:15-16). The response of the Jews, upon hearing Jesus teach, was almost humorous. They were very impressed with the content, but could not figure out how he knew so much of the Old Testament. Where did he and his wisdom come from? Ever humble, Jesus credits God the Father for his teachings while also claiming to be deity. This teacher did not have to learn. He is truth.

Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own (17). Jesus was one who did God’s will by taking on human flesh so that he could die and be resurrected. Now he was affirming his doing God will and asking his listeners if they too were doing God’s will in their response to the Lord. John MacArthur states, “Those who are fundamentally committed to doing the will of God will be guided by him in the affirmation of his truth. God’s truth is self-authenticating through the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit.”

The Jews of that day needed to decide the same thing as everyone around the world today. Is Jesus the Son of God? If one believes that he is, then they must also accept the authority of what he taught. I recently spoke with an acquaintance who is gay. She is unhappy with her church and pastor because they take a stand against homosexuality. This sincere lady pointed out to me that it is 2022. It seemed that she wanted to pick and choose which scriptures were acceptable to her and her beliefs. She felt that certain ones were not authoritative in our modern times. I shared that Jesus loves all people and that each church is different in their views. I choose to love folks who are not straight without condoning their choices. My hope is that the readers of this column are part of a church that sees the entire Bible as inspired, authoritative and relevant.

Jesus was boldly and clearly claiming to be from God. He was seeking to bring glory to the Father. Jesus was true and the truth (John 7:18; 14:6). Jesus rightly pointed out that none of them keep the Law of Moses (19). This was not a good way to make friends, even though it was a true statement. He followed up with a good question – “Why do you seek to kill me?” Some thought he had a demon. Some were not aware of anyone trying to kill him. Jesus knew the hearts of those in authority. They did not at all like what they considered to be his blasphemous teaching.

As Jesus pointed out their faulty reasoning as it related to the Law and who he was, Jesus makes another strong statement that put them in their place. It also serves as a great reminder to us. Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly (24). As the New Living Translation states, “Look beneath the surface so that you can judge correctly.” People love to misquote the Bible to say that judging others is always wrong. Indeed, we must not judge based on outward appearance. We should not judge another person’s motives because we cannot really know them. But there is a proper role for wise judgment. MacArthur said, “While Jesus forbade harsh, censorious judgment that self-righteous legalism promotes, he demanded the exercise of moral and theological discernment.”

Today, with a click or touch of a screen, we can read countless words of many people around the world. It is easy to get caught up in what everyone says and believes. However, folks must know Jesus’ words and actions to decide by faith whether they will respond to his authoritative teachings. Those of us who know God personally through Jesus must immerse ourselves in the Word of God so that we can live to bring glory to God and judge wisely. Jesus is our example and teacher.