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

Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Jesus had something the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes didn’t and whatever it was, it was obvious. He had come to show them the Father, to demonstrate how a life should be lived to honor him. In doing that, he had come to explain and, when necessary, clarify the law that the people had been living under since the days of Moses. To the people of Israel, the law was everything. When Jesus got in trouble with his teachings, it was always when the people thought he was either breaking the law or trying to do away with their law. You might say their life was defined by the law. Jesus had come to give them a new, updated version of their law…and he had come with the authority to do it! He began in Matthew 5 with his Sermon on the Mount. Jesus began redefining their understanding of the law by taking it up a notch. Their law, which had been carved in tablets of stone by the hand of God himself, was about to become a living breathing thing! When you consider how you will define your life, remember who it is who holds the ultimate authority here on earth.

Pray: “Jesus, I know there is no higher authority than you. If I am to define my life, it should be by your words and your words alone. I have learned that truth is not a relative thing. You are truth. In my efforts to align my definitions with that truth, help me to understand your teachings. Carve them on the tablets of my heart the way our Heavenly Father carved the law on the tablets for Moses. Help me today, Lord, to have a character like you - Amen”