August 22

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And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:28-29

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🔊 It is easy to read the words of Jesus as the words of an ordinary man, but a moment’s reflection will reveal the quiet thunder of His authority. His authority was magnified by the quietness of His Spirit. Yes, He was quiet, but He spoke promises that no mere man would dare to utter. He spoke of things to come in a way that would determine the eternal future of all human beings. He said that all blasphemy would be forgiven us, even blasphemy against Him, but not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, not now nor in the age to come. He has eyes to see the coming age, as He also saw the moment of creation. Jesus Christ did not tell mere stories – He explained the reason behind all of life, and the principles of eternal judgment. People trembled at the whim of tyrants like Stalin and Hitler, and breathed a sigh of relief when they were dead. But Jesus is full of love and has no cruel whims or unloving thoughts. Yet we should tremble before Him, at the fearful power of His authority and His comprehensive knowledge of all things past, present and future, both of all creation and of our personal lives. There is fearful wonder in Him, and we do well to bow in loving surrender.