Speaking with authority
The carpenter who changed the atmosphere
Speaking with authority
I always find it fascinating to listen to good speakers. This could be a preacher with a beautiful biblical message, but just as easily someone who talks passionately about a hobby or a scientist reporting on research. Think of a medical explanation of new breakthroughs that previously seemed impossible. It’s wonderful to hear people speak with that energy and passion. You follow their enthusiasm and you see the spark ignite. Yet there is something else besides enthusiasm. In the Bible, you read about speaking with authority. It is said of the Lord Jesus that He spoke with authority.
What exactly is that? It has nothing to do with a multitude of words or complicated intellectual language. Speaking with authority takes place in the spiritual world. Jesus was a carpenter by trade. Until the age of thirty, He worked in Nazareth in His father’s construction business. There He gained knowledge through the teaching of God Himself. This was not theoretical knowledge that remained in His head, but wisdom that He had completely absorbed. His words were therefore authoritative in themselves.
Different atmosphere
When Jesus, a carpenter from Nazareth, enters a synagogue one day, there is immediate commotion. As soon as He begins to speak, the atmosphere changes completely. People look at Him and wonder if this is not the ordinary carpenter. They are amazed at the quality of His words and His deep knowledge of Scripture. However, what touches them most is the authority He exudes. Jesus had no titles. He did not have a doctorate and did not come from a well-known family of rabbis or priests. He was a man of the people, but He was taught by God.
“And they were amazed at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22 HSV)
When He speaks, His words come with tremendous power. In Mark 1:22, we see that He no longer stands there as a craftsman, but as the Anointed One of God. He speaks with an authority that the world had never experienced before. He was a man of authority, even though His appearance did not reflect that. The Bible says that He did not have an appearance that would immediately attract us, but as soon as He spoke, something happened. We also call this anointing.
Deeper meaning
You experience anointing when you hang on someone’s every word and feel deep inside that what is being said is true. Jesus’ authority was not derived from studies, but came from His relationship with the Father. He did not just quote the law; He embodied the law. The rabbis often got caught up in the letters and rules, but Jesus went further. He explained the deeper meaning and put it into practice.
Jesus’ authority was not a theory. It came from who He was. The Greek word exousia literally means “arising from the essence.” He had authority that came directly from God, which provided absolute peace and certainty. His message brought liberation and deep truth. It was not an empty slogan. When He encountered a possessed man, He freed him from demonic influences.
With Jesus, His words and deeds are one. What He speaks immediately takes shape and frees people from darkness.
Amazement
His listeners were amazed. They recognized that He taught them as someone with real authority and not like the scribes. They were shocked because they did not expect this from a carpenter. They saw in Jesus a divine revelation. In that direct confrontation, God showed that He is a living God who speaks through people.
We still recognize that today. You can hear someone speak and almost fall asleep. You can also listen to a special story that piques your interest. But there are also people with an anointing. You notice that their story is authentic and that they have received their words from God. This is how the Kingdom of God comes to people: not through dry rules or traditions, but through the presence and authority of Jesus Himself.
Received from Him
Sometimes we experience this in a service. You notice that there is more than just human speech. We look forward to this, also in our own lives. I hope that you receive words from God and may pass them on. Perhaps people will then wonder how you came by that wisdom. Then you may testify of your connection with God and tell them that He speaks to your heart. Just like the Lord Jesus, we can speak words of life that make people pause. God wants to enable us to speak words of authority. Not a text from a book or a rehearsed story, but true words from God. We call this a rhema word: a word that you receive directly from Him.
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