Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
When Jesus asked His disciples the question, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matt. 16:13-14). Whenever you ask the question today, you receive many answers from the average man on the street: a good man. . . a prophet. . . a great teacher. . . a healer. Perhaps some would even say that He is the Messiah or the Son of God. But the vast majority would fall far short of how the Bible describes the Lord Jesus Christ. As we have studied the life of the Lord Jesus in this series, we have discovered that He is far more than a man, no matter if we say that He is the greatest man that ever lived, or the wisest, or the most holy, or the most eloquent. He is no less than God. He is truly the God-man, fully God and fully Man. Our focus has recently centered on His earthly ministry. In our last look, we saw the mighty works which Jesus did. Our focus moves now to what Jesus taught. Just as His works demonstrated so clearly who He was and is, so does His teaching. Many would say that Jesus was a great teacher. We cannot disagree. We can declare dogmatically: Jesus taught as no other man has ever taught. We seek to answer from the Gospels the question: “How Did Jesus Teach?”
Jesus’ teaching was descriptive of His Person. Jesus was the Master Teacher. A common title given to Him was “Teacher.”
He was often called “Teacher” or “Good Teacher.”
He was called this by the common people (Mark 5:35; 9:17; Luke 12:13)
He was called this by His disciples (Mark 4:38; 9:38; 10:35; 13:1; John 1:38)
He was called this by believing women (John 11:28; 20:16)
He was called this by seekers (Matt. 8:19; 19:16; Luke 3:12)
He was called this by religious leaders (Mt. 9:11; 12:38; 22:16, 24, 36; Mk.12:32; Lk.7:40; 9:38; 19:39; Jn 3:2).
He claimed the title for Himself (Matt. 23:8; 26:18; John 13:13-14).
Jesus’ teaching was different in its presentation.
His teaching was varied in its audience.
He taught great crowds (Matt. 4:23; 9:35; Mark 2:13; 4:1-2; 6:6, 34; 10:1; Luke 13:22; 23:5).
He taught His disciples (Mt.16:21; 20:17; Mk.4:13; 8:27-33; 9:30-32;13:1-37; Lk.11:1-13; Jn.4:30-38; 13-16).
He taught individuals (John 3:1-21; 4:5-29; 21:15-19).
His teaching was varied in its location.
He taught in the cities and villages (Luke 13:22; 23:5).
He taught in the temple or synagogue (Mt.4:23; 9:35; 13:54; 26:55; Mk.1:21; 6:2; Lk.6:6; 20:1; Jn.6:59; 7:14,28).
He taught at the seashore (Mark 2:13; 4:1-2).
He taught on the road (Matt. 8:27).
He taught in the streets (Luke 13:26).
He taught on a mountain (Matt. 5:1-2; Mark 13:3).
His teaching was varied in its format.
He taught formally, as in the synagogues (Luke 19:47).
He taught informally, as in everyday conversations (Mt. 21:18-22; Mk. 8:27-33; 13:1-5; Lk. 11:1-4).
His teaching was varied in its methods.
He taught by direct discourse (Matt. 5-7, 24-25; John 13-16).
He taught by parables (Matt. 13:34-35; 13:1-53; 21:28-22:14).
He taught by illustrations (Matt. 6:26-30).
He taught by object lessons and example (John 13:1-17).
He taught by answering questions or making statements (Mt.21:18-22; Mk.8:27-33; 13:1-5; Lk.11:1-4).
His teaching was varied in its content. The topics on which He taught are too numerous to mention. Here are a few:
He taught regarding His identity (Matt. 16:13-20).
He taught regarding true blessedness (Matt. 5:1-12).
He taught regarding wealth (Matt. 6:19-24).
He taught regarding worry (Matt. 6:25-34).
He taught regarding the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 13:24-33).
He taught regarding future events (Matt. 24-25).
Jesus’ teaching was dynamic in its power. The effects of His teaching were powerful.
His teaching caught the attention of His hearers.
His teaching produced astonishment (Matt. 7:28; 22:33; Mark 11:18; Luke 4:32).
His teaching produced awe (John 7:14-15, 45-46).
His teaching produced interest (Mark 12:37).
His teaching produced curiosity (John 3:1-21; 4:6-15).
His teaching overcame the attacks of His opposers.
His teaching was used against Him by His enemies (Matt.26:59-61; Luke 23:4-5).
His teaching was used by Him against His enemies.
He used parables to drive home His point (Matt. 26:45-46; Mark 12:12).
He trapped them in their own trap (Matt. 22:15, 22; 22:23-28, 33-34, 46; Mark 12:13, 17).
We marvel at Jesus’ teaching, learning from His wisdom and being confident in who He is as the God-man. We also remember that He has commissioned us all to teach others what He has taught us (Matt. 28:19-20). Let’s teach in His strength and wisdom!
Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie