Authority Figure

This week, I sat down with one of our new student hires to explain to him the big picture about how the power system works and how each piece fits together.  After my so called speech, I was amazed by what had come out of my mouth.  I actually talked with authority!  It was interesting how stuff came out that just a few years ago I hadn’t a clue as to what the names of the equipment was let alone how it worked.

My boss is the master of authority.  He has the best short and long term memory that I’ve ever seen.  He can recall with great detail how a piece of electronics works that was built in the 60’s.  Now even though he’s in his mid 40’s like me, people all over the west coast call him to ask for his wisdom on any give subject.  From making Japanese swords to troubleshooting a telephone network, they’ll call and sit at his feet while he explains in sometimes excruciating detail how stuff works.

Have you ever bumped into someone who you knew had authority on a given subject; especially one you were interested in?  You’ll ask a question or two and then just sit and listen in awe as they recall stuff you’ve never even thought of or knew existed.  Your excitement will grow as they pass this new found knowledge on to you.

The opposite can also be said.  Have you ever sat and listened to someone who you thought had mastered a subject only to soon find out that they were a poser?  At our annual engineer’s meeting, people will present on different subjects, and you can tell almost right away if they are bluffing or a real authority on the subject.

You can imagine where this post is going, can’t you?  When Jesus spoke, people listened.  Mark 1:22 says;

“And they were completely astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching as One Who possessed authority, and not as the scribes.”

Why was Jesus a master of scripture?  Because he was into it.  I’ve come to believe that you can only become an expert on something if you really enjoy what it is you are learning.  If you watch the Antiques Road Show, you can tell the appraisers are really into their work.  They can open up something that is 200 years old and find an obscure signature that tells who make the item and when.  Then they’ll give the history behind the object and with excitement let the owner know how much it will bring in auction.

People like sitting at the feet of an authority and that’s why they liked listening to Jesus.  He knew his stuff.  He also loved passing it on.

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Tags: Bible, Christianity, Jesus, Life, Love, Random, Relationships, Religion, Thoughts

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