God of Authority

Luke tells us that when Jesus taught in the religious gathering, "they were amazed at His teaching" (4:32). 

Why? 

Because He taught as "one with authority."

Authority is more than confidence, although confidence is a good start. Confidence comes from having done something for a long time, or done it deeply well, having experienced it to a tremendous degree and navigated it successfully. It's the professional, in whatever field, who has been doing the job for decades and knows all of the tips and tricks and isn't afraid to just jump in and do it. 

But confidence does not create authority. Confidence merely makes you capable, someone to be admired, but not necessarily respected. Authority commands respect. 

Authority requires not just the knowledge, but the...practiced wisdom. It requires demonstrating the ability to interpret and apply, not just to know. 

Authority requires not just knowledge, not just confidence, not just practiced wisdom, but humility, as well. 

There's a difference between someone who speaks as an authoritarian and someone who speaks with actual authority. An authoritarian uses power to dominate and demand, but real authority never does this. Real authority speaks with an offering, as though what is being said is a gift to the other, given out of a reservoir that is full and not in danger of being depleted. 

Jesus wasn't afraid to offer freely what He knew of God. It was not a threat to Him to give it away. He spoke confidently, knowing the truth of the words He spoke. He spoke with practiced wisdom, having demonstrated His ability to interpret and apply and trust, not just to spout words. 

Everything in His presentation lined up in a single direction to point to the very thing He was focused on, and that, really, is what authority boils down to. 

It is a powerful pointing to a singular thing with every aspect of your communication and being. And when you witness it, it truly is amazing. 

That's what set Jesus apart in the gathering. The men there knew the Scriptures; it wasn't that Jesus was saying anything new. They believed in God; it wasn't that He was proposing anything new. They trusted in His promises; that's why they kept coming to these gatherings and learning, reading, praying more. But there was something about Jesus that was so completely unwavering, so confident and competent and practiced and measured and humble that put all their best "knowing" to shame. There was something more "other" about it. 

Something with more authority. 

But then, of course there was. That's exactly what we would expect from God as He reveals Himself to us - that He would reveal Himself with the authority that comes with knowing exactly who He is, all things pointing back to Him.