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. —Matthew 7:28-29.
Unlike the teachers of his day, Jesus didn’t have to shore up his teaching with obscure quotes from past teachers and well-known rabbis. Jesus, the very Word of God (John 1:1-18), spoke the words of God. The gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) want to spark an awareness in us of Jesus’ power and authority so that through the ages, they still invite us to embrace his truth and follow him as our Lord. This Jesus, our Teacher and Savior, is so much more than another great teacher, extraordinary prophet, or wise sage. His words are powerful. His teachings are authoritative. His life is breath-taking. His love is beyond compare. So, dear friend of Jesus, his will must be our passion!