Teach me Your ways, Lord, and give me understanding,
that I may walk in Your truth and delight in You with my whole heart.
Focus of the Month: Jesus Messiah
As Jesus walked the earth, He was found teaching the people at almost every turn. In fact, throughout the Gospels, people addressed Jesus as Teacher over and over. Here are a few such passages:
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him.'” (John 3:1-2)
“Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to Him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?'” (Luke 3:12)
“And someone from the crowd answered Him, ‘Teacher, I brought my son to You, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.'” (Mark 9:17)
“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, ‘Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.'” (Matthew 12:38)
“And a ruler asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18)
Jesus didn’t teach in the classroom. Nor did He regularly teach in the synagogues. Instead, Jesus walked through the land and spoke to people exactly where they were. He met people in their towns, at their jobs, in their homes, and in places where they would have sought rest or recreation. So how did the Pharisees, scribes, tax collectors, rulers, disciples, and people in the crowds all recognize Jesus as “Teacher?” Because He imparted wisdom and knowledge to others.
More definitions of “Teacher” include an instructor; someone who causes others to learn or understand something; one who provides insight; a mentor; one who inspires or motivates others. The masses – from the very educated to the very common – received instruction, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, insight, mentoring, inspiration, and motivation from Jesus.
In fact, after Jesus delivered His renown Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:28-29 records the people’s response: “When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” There was something different about the things Jesus taught, the way He taught, and the impact His teachings had in the lives of all those who heard Him.
For, Jesus left people awe-struck, confounded, amazed, and perplexed. In their hearts, they knew Jesus taught truth. However, His words often seemed to contradict the way they lived. Jesus taught the crowds from boats, mountainsides, and in fields. Yet, He taught with more authority than those seated in high places. In John 13:13, John noted Jesus saying, “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.”
Jesus wasn’t just a man walking the earth and teaching His own agenda. No, Jesus – the only begotten Son of the one, true, living God – only spoke what the Father told Him. He, Himself – the way, the truth and the life – taught mankind the way to the Father. Jesus – the Word made flesh – lit the path for all of humanity to walk. Further, Jesus – Teacher and Lord – led by example and then challenged all to do as He did.
With the greatest wisdom ever heard, the strongest authority witnessed, the purest truth ever explained, the most insightful knowledge taught, Jesus impacted the world – then, now, forever. He is the Word, the Vine, our Mediator and Advocate, our Deliverer, Savior, Redeemer and Lord. Jesus is the greatest Teacher ever.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Psalm 119:33-35; John 1:14, 3:16, 13:14-15, 14:6, 10, 24
