…for his word possessed authority. Luke 4.32
Early in my church life, I toted my Ryrie Study Bible into Sunday School and sat down next to a man I later learned was a big deal. And, for good reasons, his legacy continues to this day. We said polite ‘hellos’ and I opened my Bible to a page full of bright red text. He turned his head and said in a mildly censorious tone, ‘You know the whole Bible is God’s Word, not just what Jesus said.” Class began. That Bible still sits on my shelf reminding me of my earliest attempts at studying God’s Word and of that Sunday when a pastor told me the truth without authority. He was right, of course. But so were the teachers in Moses’ seat who Jesus told his disciples to listen to but not imitate.
spend a great deal of energy making sure I’m right about the Bible. May that never change, but that is not all the flock needs from their pastors.
To honor a man who deserves honor, he spent his life teaching the saints with gospel authority, including me later on. And I would do the same to souls soon enough. As a professional Presbyterian, I spend a great deal of energy making sure I’m right about the Bible. May that never change, but that is not all the flock needs from their pastors. The nature of Jesus’ authority is mysterious. We can’t be Him, but he called us to be like Him. So, the next time you open the Bible to instruct his people, make sure you remember that being right is not your only job.
