GUEST
ARTICLE
Jesus:
The
Master Teacher
Nicodemus,
a ruler of the Jews, conceded that Jesus of Nazareth was “a
teacher” from God, as documented by the “signs” which he
did (John 3:2). A wealthy young ruler approached the Lord
asking, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may
have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). Even Jesus’ enemies
addressed him as “Teacher” (Matthew 22:16, 24), though
their use of the expression was not always genuine. The
Lord is addressed as “Teacher” twenty-nine times in the
Gospels. The noun (teacher) and verb (teach) combined are
used of Jesus some ninety times.
Christ’s
teaching was informative, logical, buttressed by Old Testament
evidence, well-illustrated, documented by divine power,
original, and uniquely authoritative (Matthew 7:28). When
officers once were sent to arrest him, they returned to
their superiors empty-handed, exclaiming: “Never man so
spoke” (John 7:32, 46). The Lord’s various methods of teaching
beg for careful study.
Sermons
Formal
sermons were rare in the Savior’s repertoire of teaching
tools. There is, of course, the renowned Sermon on the
Mount, in which Christ set forth principles for discipleship,
dealing with such issues as:
- the blessedness (bliss,
happiness) of holy living (Matthew 5:1-12);
- godly influence (vv. 13-16);
- the nature of the Mosaic
law (vv. 17-20);
- moral issues (vv. 21-48);
- proper demeanor in worship
(6:1-18);
- the dangers of materialism
(vv. 19-24);
- the stress-free life (vv.
25-34);
- proper attitudes toward
others and God (7:1-12);
- the consequences of wrongdoing
(vv. 13-29).
The
Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), delivered shortly before
his death, dealt with:
- the impending destruction
of Jerusalem (24:1-34);
- the second coming of Christ
and the judgment (vv. 35-51);
- some parables and instruction
concerning preparedness (25:1-46).
Conversations
Jesus
was more of a conversationalist than an orator. He walked
with people and talked with them. He sat and spoke of soul
matters. He was interested in individuals, recognizing
the value of each soul. G. Campbell Morgan (1863-1945)
was a noted British writer. One of his superb volumes was The
Great Physician – The Method of Jesus with Individuals.
In this book Morgan discussed the methodology of Jesus’ teaching
to forty different persons—from John the Baptist to “doubting” Thomas.
The
Lord’s nighttime conversation with Nicodemus allowed the
teacher to introduce this Jewish ruler, a member of the
Sanhedrin (cf. John 7:50), to the kingdom of God and the
conditions of the born-anew process by which one enters
that regime (John 3:3-5). And rich dividends it paid. The
ruler defended the Lord before his peers (John 7:46-52)
and assisted Joseph of Arimathea in the preparation of
Christ’s body for burial (John 19:38-42). Faith—from the
bud to the flower!
Consider
the Lord’s conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s
well (John 4:1-42). All alone at the well (his disciples
gone into a nearby village to purchase food), Jesus encountered
a Samaritan woman who had come for water. Christ overcame
two cultural barriers—one gender, the other racial—by speaking
in public to a non-Jewish female (vv. 9, 27). He led her
gently into a conversation, intriguing her with the promise
of some sort of water that could quench one’s thirst eternally.
He established his prophetic authority by revealing details
of her past that no ordinary person could possibly have
known. The lady hastily returned to her village and spread
the news of this remarkable man. An envoy came out to see
Christ; they invited the Lord to their village. He stayed
with them two days, and many believed in him. The impact
of this event cannot be fully seen until one considers
Philip’s evangelistic success after the establishment of
the church (Acts 8:2ff). It all started with a seemingly
casual conversation.
Conflicts
Christ
was not a rabble-rouser. He was not, like far too many
today, always spoiling for a fight. He was the Prince of
Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Nonetheless, the nature of his mission
and message was such that it was bound to ignite controversy—and
certainly it did. Great truths come to light in these engagements
between God’s Son and those who adopted the position of
adversaries.
A
demoniac was brought to Jesus; the poor man was both mute
and blind (Matthew 12:22ff). Christ cast out the evil spirit.
The crowds were amazed and audibly wondered whether this
might be “the son of David” (an expression for the Messiah).
The Pharisees promptly charged him with operating by the
power of Satan. Knowing their thoughts (a power only deity
could possess), Jesus brilliantly refuted their allegation.
With devastating deductive logic, proceeding from a well-known
general truth to a specific point, Christ argued:
- Every kingdom divided
against itself will come to ruin.
- Demons are servants of
Satan.
- If, therefore, Christ
(by Satan’s power) is casting out demons, then “the prince
of demons” (v. 24) is undermining his own diabolic efforts!
Not even he is that obtuse! By default, therefore, the
Lord’s power over demons was shown to be divine—not
satanic.
The
eighth chapter of John is “hot” with conflict. The Lord
had identified himself as “the light of the world” (v.
12), which implied those who refused his teaching were
in darkness. The Jewish leaders disputed him. He informed
them if they did not believe in him they would die in their
sins (v. 24); he foretold they would kill him (v. 28).
But he would maintain his integrity, “always” doing “the
things pleasing” to his Father (v. 29). Christ’s attention
was then directed toward those who had “believed” him,
but with a superficial faith (vv. 31ff; especially
v. 44). The interaction became intense. The careful student
may note how often the debate went back and forth, “Jesus
said . . . . They answered . . . .” (vv. 31, 33, etc.).
The Jews claimed to be Abraham’s offspring; Christ denied
they were “seed” in the loftiest sense of the expression.
They slurred him, suggesting he was “born of fornication” (v.
41); he challenged them to “convict” him of sin (v. 46),
but they could not. The debate concluded with the Lord’s
magnificent claim that he existed eternally before Abraham
was born—a claim of absolute deity (v. 58). They attempted
to stone him but could not, because “his hour” had not
arrived.
Pearls in Parables
During
the early portion of his ministry Christ taught in open
prose. As animosity against him intensified, he changed
his method, employing the use of parables. Parables served
a twofold function. They were delightful stories that,
when explained, revealed important truths. Without explanation,
however, the lessons remained obscure. Thus instruction
could be conveyed to his disciples, yet concealed from
his enemies.
The
Savior’s parabolic instruction alone would have immortalized
him as a teacher. For example:
- He issued a dozen parables
regarding the coming kingdom, i.e., the church established
on Pentecost (Acts 2)—for example its nature, growth,
influence, diversity, blessings, etc. (Matthew 13).
- He demonstrated the preciousness
of those lost, as evaluated by God (Luke 15).
- Christ emphasized the
compassion of Heaven and the divine desire to bestow
forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35).
- The Lord stressed the
power of persistent prayer (Luke 18:1-8).
- Jesus taught the value
of conscientious stewardship respecting one’s possessions,
over against the curse of materialism (Luke 12:16-21).
- He urged the wise to be
prepared for a day of accountability (Matthew 25:1-13).
These
message-bearing stories have embalmed valuable truths across
twenty centuries, blessing the lives of countless souls.
Conclusion
The
benevolent influence of Jesus’ teaching is beyond reasonable
dispute. Even the skeptical philosopher Ernest Renan (1823-92),
who opposed Christian tradition on almost all points, stated: “Jesus
will ever be the creator of the pure spirit of religion;
the Sermon on the Mount will never be surpassed” (1991,
221).
As
his critics, both ancient and modern, fade into the obscurity
they so justly deserve, the Son of God, who adorned this
earth with his presence two thousand years ago, will continue
to exert his influence through a vast conglomerate of students
around the globe, who will bless humanity because of the
teacher at whose feet they have received instruction.
--Wayne
Jackson
Sources/Footnotes
Morgan,
G. Campbell. 1982. The Great Physician – The Method
of Jesus with Individuals. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming
H. Revell.
Renan,
Ernest. 1991. The Life of Jesus. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus.
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