Bible Commentaries

A Look At The Authority Of Jesus
- Matthew Seven -

Matthew chapter seven is the final part of scripture in that section known as the Sermon on the Mount. This section shows the authority of Jesus as He spoke on such themes as judging, praying, the one way to heaven, being known by your fruit, obedience and building on the rock. In His teaching, "Jesus taught them as one having authority." (Matthew 7:29)

When Jesus spoke of judgment He said that we should not judge harshly or rashly. Many are able to see small faults in their brethren, but overlook greater ones in themselves. Jesus called the faults motes and beams. Before we look for faults in others we must first reform and correct ourselves.

Jesus taught us to pray sincere and ardent prayers. We must pray often and fervently. Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7) The throne of God's grace is open to the faithful child of God. Earthly parents know how to bless and answer the requests of their children. How much more is God able and willing to bless His faithful sons and daughters?

There are only two ways to go as we travel through this life. One is the right way and the other is the wrong way. The narrow way leads to heaven and the broad way leads to hell. "Many" travel that broad way that leads to destruction. A "few" will not travel the broad way to hell, rather they choose to walk the straight and narrow! Walking the straight and narrow way a person must resist temptation, and do their daily duty for God.

Nothing keeps man from the straight and narrow way more that "false teaching." We must hear and learn the teachings of Jesus, believe in His as the Christ, repent of sins, confess the precious name of Jesus, be baptized into Christ, and live a holy life. Jesus, by His authority, commanded every one that names the name of Christ to depart from iniquity. What kind of builder are you? Let us build our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. When a life is built upon the rock nothing separates us from the love of Christ. Jesus "taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:29)

Jesus spoke with authority about judging - Matthew 7:1-6 : A spirit of pride and conceit causes people to judge others harshly. The judgment shown to be wrong in this text is the opposite of the mercy which is shown to be right by God. It is not ours to judge the hearts or the intentions of another! The same God that forgives us according to our forgiveness of others judges us according to our judgment of others. Sins must be dealt with, but let us not deal with the sins of others while being hypocritical about our own sins!

Not all judging is condemned. The Bible says, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (John 7:24) In all of our dealings there must be "righteous judgments!" We must judge our own deeds and the deeds of others, but we must not judge the hearts of others. We cannot judge a person's intentions. God judges the heart and we must not try to put ourselves on His throne. It would be impossible for us to judge another's eternal state! However, must continually judge by the word of God as to what is right and what is wrong.

Jesus spoke with authority about praying - Matthew 7:7-12 : Prayer is pictured in different ways in the Bible. In Matthew six prayer is pictured as our duty toward God. In Matthew seven prayer is picture as a means whereby our needs are obtained. The lesson taught is simple -- pray, pray, pray! In the words of our text -- keep asking, seeking and knocking. Jesus knocks at our door. (Revelation 3:20) He allows us to knock at His door so that the needs of our life may be met. God is both able and willing to answer the prayers of His children. He is more loving than any earthly father.

All that you expect or desire of other people do or say the same to them. Try to think like God and to put yourself in the place of other people. Your attitude to toward others will determine whether God can answer your prayers. Jesus said, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

Jesus spoke with authority about bearing fruit - Matthew 7:13-20 : There are two ways and two gates. Only one way has eternal appeal. Walking the straight and narrow way requires a new heart and a new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:4) Though the way is straight and narrow it is our goal because "it leads to life." The straight and narrow way is entered as people believe without a doubt that Jesus is the Christ (John 6:69), repent (Luke 13:3) and are baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27) Conversion or regeneration is the gate into this straight and narrow way.

Jesus often cautioned against false prophets -- false teachers. There are false teachers, teaching false doctrine leading to false conversions. How tragic! False prophets come as "wolves in sheep's clothing." Christians must try the spirits whether they are of God. (1 John 4:1) Examine both the teaching and the fruit it produces! Make sure that those that teach do so according to God's truth.

Jesus spoke with authority about obedience - Matthew 7:21-29 : As Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount He showed the absolute necessity of obedience. An outward profession without "heart" obedience will not lead to heaven. Jesus spoke of the one "...who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) At judgment, the cries of those that have been religious, but have not truly obeyed God, will be pitiful. They will hear the Lord say "Depart from me." This will be a terrible separation from the very Jesus that they claimed to serve. This separation will be caused by a lack of obedience to Christ!

The hope of the Christian rests in the foundation upon which he builds. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11.) Only those that hear and obey Jesus are truly building on the Rock of Ages. These are the people that are like a wise man. True wisdom consists in being sure about the salvation of our soul. Salvation comes only when we have built upon the firm teaching of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished as we keep Christ's gospel teaching. When you confirm to the words of Christ you are building upon a solid rock.

Those that heard Jesus speak were astonished that He spoke with such authority. Yet, only few chose to walk the straight and narrow way. Have you chosen to follow Christ and His teaching? God wants all men to become Christians. To be saved you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Luke 13:3), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized for forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism live for Jesus who died for you.