"From the Officer's Desk"
Matthew 7:28-29 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. Our bookshops seem to have shelves full of advice – books with titles like “The 7 Habits of Successful People”, or “Ten Steps to Success”. We have been looking of bits of advice that Jesus gave, and it can be tempting to treat these as a recipe. The religious people of Jesus’ day had done that to the nth degree– the Pharisees had rules for everything to help people to be sure they were living the right way. Jesus did not dismiss the Law, but following instructions is not really the road being better people. What amazed people about Jesus was not just what he said and did, but his assured authority. Jesus did not just rely on rules and regulations: his confidence in his Father God gave an authority to his life and teaching that got noticed. And he promised to send the Holy Spirit to give his followers similar authority. This is what the Church celebrated at Pentecost. By all means read good advice, but that’s not what really makes better people.