JESUS THE MASTER TEACHER

Lecture Objectives:

In this presentation we will note Jesus as a great teacher and show how this is reflected in His teaching and techniques.

References:

Matt. 22.16; 4.4,6,7; 5.3-12; Matt. 23.12; Mk. 12-37.

Questions for Focus:

l. What did Mahatma Gandhi say of Jesus as a teacher?

2. Did Jesus address Himself to a variety of topics about life? List six.

3. Who called Him "a teacher of par-excellence?"

4. Every teacher has qualities which characterize his teaching. List some that would describe Jesus as a teacher.

5. List some figures of speech used by Jesus.

1. ENEMIES ARE NOT THE BEST CRITICS.
   1. Enemies are not the best critics! For one reason, they are prejudiced. They want to disrobe one of acclaim, wisdom, authority and perceptiveness. They will charge one with incompetence, ill-logic, and lack of insight.
   2. In view of this there are two strange/unusual things which occurred in the life of Christ.
      1. First, the title - "teacher of par-excellence" was used of Him by His enemies. Matthew 22.16.
      2. Second, officials of the Jewish parliament said: "No one ever spoke the way this man does. John 7.46.
2. MODERN CRITICS HAD A PROFOUND RESPECT FOR TEACHINGS OF JESUS
   1. Question: Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
      1. The founder of modern India. He said the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount "went right to my heart."*
   2. Question: Who was Karl Marx ?
      1. He criticized 'religion' - especially institutional Christianity, saying it was "an opiate of the people." Yet, he was reserved in his criticism of Jesus and His teachings.
   3. Question: What does the expression `opiate' mean?

      * Gandhi, An Autobiography. 1949. Jonathon Cape, 1966. p. 114.

   4. NOTICE BRIEFLY, FOR AWARENESS, THE MANY TOPICS THE GREAT TEACHER SPOKE ABOUT
      1. He quoted from the Old Testament repeatedly (Over 200 times directly and indirectly).
      2. He was familiar with history and used many of its events in His teachings.
      3. Surely Peter spoke for literally thousands of people when he said... John 6.68.
         1. Student writes out the verse.
         2. Fill in the blank: "You have the
            of eternal life"
            1. Words are powerful when they are true!
      4. Notice the variety of subjects in His teachings.
         1. See overlay entitled: "Variety of Teachings."
      5. His teaching techniques could have been used in any modern university lectureroom..... and are!
         1. See overlay entitled: "Teaching Techniques".
   5. THE UNUSUAL UNIQUENESS OF HIS TEACHINGS
      1. His teachings have a natural, inherent, assumed authority.
         1. When tempted by Satan His reply was with the force of Scripture.
            1. Read Matthew 4.4,6,7.
            2. Question: What verb appears at the beginning of each verse?
            3. The Greek Tense is 'perfect', i.e., 'Once written it stands as written.'
            4. Question: Can the quality of authority be seen in this statement?
         2. He spoke with no regard for the values set by men.
            1. Read- Matthew 5.3-12.
            2. Question: Do teachers usually teach that there is blessedness in poverty, hunger, sorrow and persecution?
            3. There is a defiance of what is commonly taught by men, yet...
            4. Question: Does He make an apology or explanation?
            5. No! Why? The teacher sees Himself as authoritative! Matthew 5.1.
            6. Question: Why does it say He sat?
            7. `Sitting' was the official position of a teacher.
            8. Question: What expression do we use in reference to a person's taking a teaching position at a University?

               Answer: `Taking a chair!' so, here.

            9. Read Matthew. 18.3; Luke 9.48; Matthew 6.33; Matthew 5.39; Matthew 5.40; Matthew 5.41;Matthew 5.43,44.
         3. Those who heard His teaching held Him in contrast to the scribes.
            1. Read Matthew 7.28.
            2. Question: What was the point of contrast? His teachings.
         4. Two teaching characteristics show the authority of His teachings.
            1. The expression - "Truly, truly I say unto you..."
            2. The expression - "But I say unto you"; In contrast to other teaching done by His contemporaries.
   6. HIS TEACHINGS HAVE THE QUALITY OF SIMPLICITY.
      1. Have you ever listened to a teacher, heard every word, but didn't know the meaning of what he said?
      2. This is not the case when Jesus is the Teacher!
         1. There is and evident, uncomplicated, forthright simplicity in His teaching.
         2. Question: When we listen to Him - Which is the more difficult to do -
            1. Understand what He is saying
            2. Obeying what He is saying.
      3. Question: What is an epigram?
         1. Is it a witty, pointed statement, or, is it a statement having two opposites?
         2. Answer: It is both.
      4. Examples:
         1. Read Matthew 23.12.
            1. Question: What are the opposites? What do they teach?
         2. Matthew 16.25; Luke 9.62.
            1. Question: What are the opposites? What do they teach.
      5. Have you been made to think while reading these verses? Note: That's the mark of a good teacher. Through analysis of thought you discover the truth being taught - by yourself!
      6. Jesus, in his teachings, started the learning process by asking simple questions which, if pursued, could take the student into even deeper thought, even to the point of changing the student's life!
         1. Note some of these:
            1. Read Matthew 7.16.
      7. His teachings are simple, but they are not for the `non-thinkers.
         1. His statements cannot always be taken at face value.
         2. Consider these:
            1. Read Matthew 5.29.
            2. Read Matthew 5.30.
            3. Question: Are these statements meant to be taken literally?
            4. Question: What would happen if they were taken literally?