Jesus the Teacher (Part 1)

His disciples said after a particularly hard message from Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)  Two disciples who got a personal lesson from the resurrected Jesus about how the Old Testament predicted his death and resurrection, said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  (Luke 24:32)

What was it about the way Jesus taught that had such an impact?

Well, we would be mistaken if we chalked it up to technique.  Jesus used some very powerful teaching techniques, but no technique can take the place of personal passion and virtue.  When Jesus taught he did so out of the depth of his relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.  He taught as one having authority (Matthew 7:29) because he knew who he was and who his Father was and his life was lived in complete obedience to everything God said.  No teacher is more powerful than the level of his or her obedience to what he or she is teaching.

When Jesus told people to drop what they were doing and follow him, they knew he was living out that very life himself.  When the rich young ruler came to Jesus his address to Jesus was, “Good Teacher” (Mark 10:17).  Everyone recognized the moral integrity of Jesus.

Jesus also taught the truth.  One of his most oft repeated phrases was, “I tell you the truth” (almost 80 times in our Gospels).  Others admitted of him, “Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth” (Mark 12:14).

His famous Sermon on the Mount was a brilliant exposition of the Law of Moses and its true intended meaning.  His parables have inspired us to live  for the kingdom.  His principles never fail to guide us truly.  He is the teacher par excellence, the living Word of God, the voice of the Father, the faithful and true Witness.  Jesus is our Master Teacher.