The Unaccredited Rabbi

Jesus was definitely a rabbi, a teacher of God’s ways according to the faith of Israel. For this reason people gathered in the Temple courts, in homes and in the countryside to listen and learn from him. Most of what he taught centered round his own role as the Son of Man and in him the coming of the long-awaited kingdom of God. This was good news for the people and for the world—but Jesus lacked the usual credentials that might have been expected. He was not ordained, licensed, accredited, recognized or regarded, nor had he been to the right schools or colleges or had the right hands laid on him. He was, after all, just a carpenter from Nazareth. He might even have been the kind of self-appointed, unaccountable person that today we would warn people of!

He did, however, have one thing massively in his favor, namely that he had been called and installed by God to his prophetic, priestly and kingly office (Luke 3:21,22). This was where his authority came from, one which was self-authenticating and which, unlike the chief priests, teachers and elders (1), ordinary, faithful people were quick to recognize (Mark 1:21–28). Like John the Baptist before him, Jesus had an authority from heaven (5).

In this passage the contrast between Jesus and the Jerusalem establishment becomes ever clearer and is a prelude to his final rejection on the cross. Different kinds of power are at work here. They had the formal power derived from their positions. They had the power to command and to compel. Jesus had authority to forgive people their sins and set them free from evil influences (Matt. 9:6). Both kinds of power have their place, when rightly used—but Jesus’ power sets us free. Accept it.

What is the difference between power and authority? Reflect on what kind of power you have and consider carefully how you are using it. Do you do so in Jesus’ name?