I Say To You

"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 (NIV)

What would happen if you truly believed every word of Jesus? 

From the first words Jesus speaks to the last words He speaks, you recognize immediately that nobody has ever spoken like this man. In the Old Testament, "Thus says the Lord" is used over 400 times. But Jesus uses a completely different phrase 145 times: "I say to you."

Think about how radical this is. Every Jewish teacher gets opinions from different rabbis about Scripture's meaning, then offers their viewpoint. Not Jesus. He never asks what anybody else thinks. He contrasts what people have heard from other teachers with what He says about the law. 

In fact, thirty times He puts the word "Amen" at the beginning of what He says. “Amen” belongs only at the end of prayers, asking God to confirm them. But Jesus puts it first because he is God.

When someone challenges your faith this week, remember that you're not defending ancient wisdom or religious philosophy. You're standing on the words of God himself. 

Jesus didn't speak about God, He spoke as God. That changes everything about how you listen to Scripture and how confidently you can trust what it says.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that Your words carry divine authority. When I open Scripture, help me remember I'm not just reading words, I'm hearing Your voice speaking directly into my life. Give me confidence to stand on Your words today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.