During the earthly ministry of Jesus, the people had a mixed idea as to the character and nature of Jesus. In John 7, there was a debate among the multitudes concerning Jesus. In verse 12, “And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good;” others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.”” In John 7:43, John records that there was a division among the people. Some said He was the prophet, and some said He is the Christ, while others argued His birthplace was different. In John 10:19, the people argued, “Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.  And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”  21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” Another thing that added to the confusion was that the Pharisees despised and plotted against Jesus yet they would not lay a hand on Him.

What was it that instigated these totally different views? After calling the apostles to follow Him, Jesus went into the synagogue to preach.  “And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes,” Mark 1:22. Later after He presented the lesson from the mount, the people were again astonished at His authority, Matt. 7:29. Their amazement in part was due to the fact that Jesus was not an educated man. (See John 7:15).

 No one had ever spoken like Jesus because His authority was from the Father.  Jesus explained in John 7:16-17, “Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.  If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” The reason His authority stood out above the scribes is because their authority was from man, but Jesus’ authority came from the Father. The words Jesus spoke were from God. In the prayer of Jesus before His crucifixion He spoke concerning His disciples, “Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.  For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me,” John 17:7-8. The words Jesus spoke originated from the mind of Jehovah so that there was no doubting His Authority.

 

TERRY JACKSON