Mark 1:22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
I find this a fascinating comment. Jesus not only taught as someone with authority, He demonstrated that authority by casting out evil spirits and healing people. The “teachers of the law” didn’t do that, because they had no such authority! Today, we should be operating in the delegated authority of Jesus, (Matthew 28:18-20) based on the Scriptures. The problem is, the devil has tricked many current “teachers of the law” into teaching that the Bible isn’t reliable, and is merely a source of truth, instead of the inspired Word of God. They not only relinquish their own authority, they teach that such authority is unavailable to men. No wonder the Church has lost power in society! A young man I was involved in discipling who is currently pastoring a denominational church called me yesterday, asking, “When and how did this denomination become so liberal? I thought they were Bible-based!” I was able to point out some specific individuals and influences to him, and he was encouraged to stand firm on the Word, despite denominational influences. When the Church loses its mooring on the Bible, it has lost just about everything, and becomes no more than another human organization.
I am well aware of the difficulties of translation, being bilingual myself, and my father and one of my grandfathers were both actively involved in that issue. I also know about textual criticism and the like, but I also know that God is in control of His Word, and He sees to it that the essential truths get preserved. Truth is not just a matter of opinion, whatever anyone might say! Just yesterday I ran across two or three articles that specifically touched on that, and the chaos that attitude engenders. There is no “my truth” and “your truth!” I shouldn’t be surprised at this current confusion, because there have been signs of its coming for a long time. Even when I was in seminary, from 1976-78, I was required to quote commentaries in the sermons I wrote for Preaching class. The opinions of men were being placed on the same level as the Bible! A Japanese pastor, now a close friend, confessed to me over 30 years ago that he was more familiar with Barth than with the Bible. I feel sure that’s changed now, but he still struggles with assurance about what God is saying to him. I can have no authority apart from what God delegates to me, and I won’t have that if I take His Word lightly, or particularly, place the opinions of men over it.
Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for that call yesterday, and that I have generated such an opinion of my theological position and grounding. Help me indeed be faithful to You and Your Word, proclaiming Your Word so that it may accomplish everything for which You send it, (Isaiah 55:11) for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!