Teach With Authority

14 Jan

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, 
and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.  (Mk 1:21-22)

There are so many things that could be said about today’s Gospel.  However, I am not going to do that.  As I try to do each day, I go for one short thought that can be carried with us throughout the day.  The short thought for today is “teaching with authority”.

Why was Jesus different than the scribes and the pharisees?  He was because His teachings were not about Himself.  He was not trying to “get rich” or become more popular because of what He said.

No.

He was teaching what His Father had given Him to say, whether or not it would make Him popular, whether or not it would make Him liked, whether or not it would put His life in jeopardy.

He was conveying the truth: simple as that.

Because of that, when He prayed, His Father heard Him and responded.  Jesus was able to expel demons, to raise the dead, to cure the sick, to restore movement to the limbs of the lame.  He did all of that with a spoken word.

His authority was absolute and complete and it was directed to the benefit of others.

What do we teach by our actions and words?  Are we interested in the benefit of others or in the glorification of our selves?

FAITH ACTION:  Be a person of authority today.  Teach, and live, the Gospel.