“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” -Matthew 7:28–29

We hear all kinds of things about Jesus that seem good but totally miss the point and deny the most important thing about him. “He was such a great example of kindness,” “He was humble and thought of the less fortunate,” or “He was such a great champion of the morals of the day.” But here the crowds get it right in their astonishment.

Jesus is the One who has authority. He is not a mere guru or even a rabbi in the usual mold. No, Jesus is the authority because he is God. He teaches with authority because he reveals himself and his plan of redemption.

We have a choice in life to see Jesus as a good example or a nice moral teacher, or we can see him as he says he is—the first and the last, I AM. God himself. The One of authority. If he has authority in this sense, we are due to listen, to heed, and to continually recognize his reign over us.

Thankfully he is the One with authority. He is the One to lay done his life for us, to cherish us and call us to himself and to transformed lives. Our identity is solely in this God of authority. It is the best place to be, under his grace.

Today, see his authority, be astonished not only that he has it, but that he knows you and claims you as his own.