By Randy Ballinger
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Matthew 7:28-29, emphasis mine).
Imagine being on that Galilean mountainside as Jesus amazed the people with his words.
Jesus didn’t simply recite Old Testament Law—as the scribes and Pharisees did—Jesus provided God-ordained insight.
For example, Jesus said,
- “You have heard that it was said . . . ‘You shall not murder. . . .’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22).
- “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).
- “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, Love your enemies . . .” (Matthew 5:43-44).
No other rabbi spoke with such authority.
People were amazed that Jesus provided insight into the true nature of sin. The action of sin isn’t the only problem humans must deal with. It is the motive, the thought, the conception of sin with which we also must deal.
How do we deal with our sin? Amazingly, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus, who had no sin problem, suffered the penalty for us who do. We deal with our sin by placing our trust in the One who conquered it.
Because of Jesus’ death, we have a solution for our self-gratification, self-indulgence, and every other self-focused motive that results in sin.
Twenty centuries later, we, too, are amazed at Jesus—not only by his words, but by his love that moved him to sacrifice himself on the cross.
In thankful amazement, and as we examine our motives, we gather around this table.
Randy Ballinger lives with his wife, Gina Ann, near New Paris, Ohio. He is an elder with the Centerville (Indiana) Christian Church.
Author: Christian Standard
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