Why is it important that Jesus is called the great prophet?

In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as the ultimate prophet, setting Him apart from the Old Testament prophets who spoke the words of God with the phrase 'Thus saith the Lord.' In contrast, Jesus asserts His authority with phrases like 'I say unto you' (Matthew 5:22), demonstrating His equality with the Father. This distinction is crucial because it signifies that Jesus does not merely convey God's message but embodies it as the Word made flesh (John 1:14). His teaching fulfilled and brought clarity to the prophetic messages given throughout the centuries, confirming His divinity and establishing the foundation for the New Covenant.