14 Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15 The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”
16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 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. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”
John 7:14-19
Tensions are rising over this question of authority.
Jesus begins to teach in the temple courts. His Jewish hearers were amazed. John records them asking, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”
Some are impressed; others are threatened.
They are impressed with his teaching. He’s not like all the other teachers. He does not fit neatly into the little theological camps of their day. He speaks boldly and confidently; he is making major theological claims–claims of great consequence.
Where is he getting this?! He did not study with the greatest rabbis in the finest schools. This is just Mary and Joseph’s boy. He’s getting this from the Father! He does not bring worldly wisdom; he bears heavenly wisdom.
He’s not out for his own glory; he’s after the glory of the one who sent him. This is something his brothers did not understand. Their counsel was simply this–hey, go down there and do some tricks! Your profile will rise.
But Jesus isn’t interested in raising his profile; the only platform he seeks is a cross.
His authority isn’t for status; it’s for service. It doesn’t come from man; it comes from God. It isn’t based on his learning or anything external to him; it is simply his as the eternal Word of God.
Some are impressed, but others are threatened.
Because if he has authority that threatens my sense of authority.
If what he says is true, then I must listen. If what he says is true, then I must obey him. If what he says is true, then he has all authority, and I do not. If what he says is true, then his words mean more than all other words. His words are the words that must shape my life.
How do you respond to the authority of Jesus?
Do you recognize he is God, speaking with the authority of the Father who sent him? Do you respond in worship and obedience, knowing that true freedom is submission to the right authority?
Friends, Jesus has real authority. You are not an autonomous being made to live for yourself. You were made to know God, obey God, and worship God. There, you find life.
Who has authority in your life? Why do you do the things you do? Who calls the shots?