Thoughts: Jesus taught them as one having authority. As I meditated on this, I started thinking about times in my life and times I have witnesses others speaking with authority. This can be on any topic. One can be an expert (or at least think they are an expert) on some topic and they speak about it with a certain set of qualities.
One who speaks with authority is one who speaks with passion, conviction, confidence and intimacy. Jesus certainly had all of these qualities. This is why he had such an effective message. He is real.
We read in the Acts of the Apostles about the apostles receiving the gifts of the Spirit. When this happened they spoke boldly about he Gospel message. The Holy Spirit spoke through these simple fishermen and gave them the courage to share in the mission of Jesus. This was the start of the early church. How exciting a time this must have been for the early disciples. They were the first to ride the wave of freedom offered through Jesus Christ.
In them was fulfilled the promise made to Abraham, "to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear" Luke 1:74. These early disciples went out at a time when it was probably quite dangerous to be a Christian and they preached the Gospel with boldness and authority.
A couple of months ago I was asked to give a witness talk at a retreat. I prayed and then gave my talk. I was humbled by the way the Holy Spirit was working through me. In some small way I felt like one of those early apostles. The words flowed out in a way that I could never have done on my own. I am continually amazed at the way I see the Holy Spirit at work in individuals.
The same gift of the Spirit that Jesus promised and sent to his apostles was real. It is the same Spirit that is offered to us today in the same very real way. Just pray for an openness to the gifts and be amazed at the way God will use you for his mighty purposes.
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