Scripture

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching for he taught with real authority- quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

Observation

Jesus concludes his sermon with a parable about building a house.

A person who listens to his teaching and follows it, is like a person who builds his house on solid rock. When the floods come and the storms the house will stand firm and unmoved.

The person who does not obey Jesus’s word is like a man who builds a house on sand. When the storms come, the house is washed away.

After Jesus, finishes his sermon, the people are amazed at his authority.

Application

The people were amazed at Jesus’ authority because He was unlike any other teacher of religious law. The rabbis of the day did not proclaim their ideas from their own authority. They would cite the other rabbis as the source of their teachings.

Jesus was not like this. He taught with His own authority because He was God in the flesh.

Because Jesus is God as well as being truly human, He has authority over the whole of creation. He commanded storms to be still, bread to multiply, leprosy to be healed, and so on.

He has authority over my life also. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In the meantime, we have the honour of serving Him.

Jesus is Lord over all things. He is Lord, even over those who do not recognise His Lordship,

Prayer

Jesus, you are my Lord. Please give me the grace to surrender everything into your hands. Amen.