John 7:15-17 English Standard Version
15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
Great students have great teachers. That is an assumption. Jesus has entered into the temple and began teaching. What is our understanding about who gives authority within that culture in those times? Our church does not allow a stranger to enter in, take the podium and just begin teaching. Why did they?
These are unanswered questions. We make assumptions based on knowledge. Baseless assumptions lead to bad conclusions. What did they know about Jesus and why it was that He could read for the skill for reading the Torah was based on teaching of writings first and then having those skills recognized. Is that statement a baseless assumption?
Luke 4:16-17 English Standard Version
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
Unlike the leaders of Jesus’ time we have the benefit of scriptures that tell of the earlier days of Jesus. Key to this understanding are the words “as was his custom.” The leader of the synagogue handed the scroll to read because he had experienced what Jesus was capable of doing. We know that custom is an important part of Jewish tradition because of all that is written about their traditions.
Lastly allow me to point to the last thing said in John7:17. It was a challenge about knowing God’s will and doing God’s will. It comes down to knowing it when you see it.