“When Jesus had finished this sermon, the crowds were astonished at His teaching.” – Matthew 7:28

Over the last few weeks, we have dug deep into our Lord Jesus’ profound ‘Sermon on the Mount,’ which started in Chapter 5.

We’ve delved into the ‘Beatitudes,’ the ‘Lord’s Prayer,’ and the ethical commands for His Church.

Our meditation verse today is part of the passage that concludes the Sermon offers a powerful lesson on the essential role of Jesus’ teaching in the life of a believer.

The simple observation of the crowd’s reaction to Jesus’ instruction reveals a profound truth: teaching is the divine instrument for transformation and the establishment of God’s Kingdom in our hearts and the world.

The Greek word used connotes ‘instructions’ – basically the content or substance of a lesson, rather than the formal, systematized set of beliefs (which the theological term ‘doctrine’ sometimes implies).

Verse 29 explains the listeners’ astonishment – the authoritative manner of Jesus’ teaching.

Just as a builder needs all the blueprints, a believer needs the full counsel of God’s Word to understand the principles of a righteous life.

We must prioritize not just hearing but absorbing and applying the entirety of the content what Christ teaches.

Jesus’ authoritative teaching underscores the importance of His discourses as foundational pillars of the New Testament theology, which establishes the truth upon which our faith is built under the new dispensation.

We can’t be faithful followers without being well-taught disciples!

The people’s response with “astonishment” implies being struck out of one’s senses by something really profound and unexpected.

True revelational teaching has this effect on the individual, moving us beyond mere mental agreement to a place of spiritual awe and deep conviction.

Remarkably, they compared His teaching to that of the Scribes, which they were accustomed to – lifeless and mere logical interpretations of the Law.

In the Old Testament, the Scribes were professionals who devoted themselves to the intensive study and teaching of the Law of Moses (the Pentateuch), ensuring that the people understood its practical application to their daily lives in the community.

But when the people encountered Jesus’ teaching, it was distinct because it carried the weight of divine wisdom and insight (Isaiah 11:2-4).

This teaches us that unlike preaching, the value of teaching lies not in the rhetoric or expertise of the speaker, but in the supernatural authority of the message itself—the Word of God.

Evidently, the core reason for the people’s astonishment was “at His teaching,” not at His oratorical skills, dress code or physical appearance or voice – things that many a preacher tends to prioritise.

Teaching is the vital channel through which God imparts the principles of His Kingdom to His people.

To grow spiritually, believers should subject themselves to revelational teaching that sparks genuine wonder at the depth of God’s truth.

Unlike the religious leaders of the day who relied on quoting centuries-old traditions, Jesus spoke with inherent, absolute authority, repeatedly declaring, “But I say to you…”

This signaled the arrival of the promised Prophet Moses spoke of (the Messiah), whom the people were to listen to (see Deuteronomy 18:15).

This authority is what the Gospel its power to change lives.

Jesus’ instruction moved beyond mere legalistic adherence to the internal transformation of the heart.

He taught the spirit of the law – focusing on our thoughts, intentions, and righteousness from within.

Therein is the value of divine and authoritative revelation – its ability to re-calibrate our moral compass from external performance to eternal purposes.

Teaching is the pathway to sanctification, moving us from being mere rule-followers to genuine, heart-transformed sons and daughters of God.

Teaching is the vital channel through which God imparts the principles of His Kingdom to His people.

We must therefore commit ourselves to being diligent students who are astonished by His word and transformed by His authority.