Wherever Jesus went, He preached and taught the word of God. And whenever the ears of His audience were not closed by stubborn prejudice, the people were usually astonished at the power exhibited in His doctrine. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount it is stated that "when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who has authority, and not as their scribes," (Mat. 7:28-29). Once, when Jesus was speaking in the temple, the Pharisees and chief priests sent officers to arrest Him, but they failed to do so. When asked why, they replied, "No one ever spoke like this man," (Jno. 7:46). There was in Jesus' words an unmistakable ring of power, for as He Himself said, "I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father who sent Me has himself given Me a commandment -- what to say and what to speak," (Jno. 12:49).
The power of Jesus' doctrine was manifested against the force of evil. In a synagogue there was a man possessed of a demon which cried out against Jesus as He came into its presence. But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of Him!" The demon could not resist, and obeyed at once. Then the record declares that "they were all amazed and said to one another, 'What is this word? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" (Luk. 4:36).
The power of Jesus' word was also demonstrated against the force of disease. When He entered into the house of Simon Peter, the apostle's mother-in-law was down with "a high fever." Jesus approached her bed and "stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she arose and began to serve them," (Luk. 4:38-39). The gospel writers record many instances when Jesus, at a word of command, healed those who were dumb, blind, epileptic, and leprous.
The power of Jesus' word against the forces of nature was grandly illustrated when He was crossing the Sea of Galilee with His disciples in a fishing boat. As He slept, a great storm arose. The force of the wind and waves threatened to capsize the small craft. In terror the men woke Jesus and directed His attention to the formidable danger. Without alarm Jesus arose and "rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!' And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm," (Mrk. 4:39). Never before or since has nature responded to the voice of any other man.
The power of Jesus' word was even exhibited over the force of death on several occasions. On one of them His friend, Lazarus of Bethany, had been dead four days and was sealed in a tomb when Jesus arrived. After having the tomb opened,"He cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth," (Jno. 11:43-44). Only the word of Jesus is powerful enough to cause the grave without resistance to yield up its prize.
As we consider this word so powerful that it subdued demons, cured disease, controlled the force of nature, and raised the dead, should not we, too, be "astonished" at it? Should not its authority motivate us also to surrender to its direction? No one is wise who comes into contact with Jesus' word and refuses to be moved by its power to subject his life to its rule. For Jesus' teaching is THE authority that supercedes all human law, all human wisdom, and all natural law. His word of command will subject the universe to destruction in the end. And in that final day His word will also raise the dead and judge both the righteous and the wicked.
