JESUS CHRIST, THE MASTER TEACHER

JESUS CHRIST, THE MASTER TEACHER

A foundational pillar of Christ’s earthly ministry was the presentation of the gospel, the good news of salvation and deliverance from the power, penalty and practice of sin.  The teaching of Jesus Christ was uniquely profound.  He always started where people ‘lived’ and he had the uncanny ability to connect-the-dots of their daily life experiences, mining supernatural truth from mundane matters and ushering ordinary people into the Kingdom of God.  In a word, Jesus Christ was ‘The Master Teacher.’

His ministry classic, ‘The Sermon on the Mount,’ takes place in a rural outdoor setting.  Matthew records “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples cam unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…” (Matthew 5:1-2)  He was an amazing spiritual tutor!

It is not surprising, therefore, that Jesus introduced new and powerful parables during his final week.  A parable is an allegorical and practical presentation of Kingdom truth, i.e. an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  During the week of Christ’s passion, he presented the following dynamic teachings:

-Parable of the Two Sons                 

(Matthew 21:28-32)

-Parable of the Wicked Husbandman            

(Matthew 21:33-41 and Mark 12:1-9 and Luke 20:9-16)

-Parable of the King’s Son                

(Matthew 22:1-14)

-Parable of the Widow’s Mite                          

(Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4)

-Parable of the Ten Virgins                               

(Matthew 25:1-13)

-Parable of the Ten Talents                              

(Matthew 25:14-30)

Viewed altogether, these parables contain indispensable truths about the Kingdom of God.  They proclaim the importance of Christ’s suffering, death and salvation ministry extended to all people (great and small).  They communicate Christ’s care and concern for the poorest among us.  They emphasize our need to prepare (constantly and carefully) for His second coming.  And they admonish us to invest fully of our time, talent and treasure to build God’s Kingdom and to secure the salvation of lost souls.

One of Christ’s most significant teachings was also presented during this week.  It is commonly called ‘The Great Commandment,’ and it is recorded in Matthew 22:34-40 and Mark 12:28-34.  This commandment was a direct response to a cynical question put forth by a doctor of the law who sought to subvert the teachings of Jesus and subject him to condemnation and death.  Please read it for yourself.

Matthew 22:34-40

³⁴ But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

³⁵ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

³⁶ Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.

³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

There could be no more powerful commandments than these twin truths of Jesus Christ.  They are of such vital importance that Jesus included them among his final words on this earth.  According to Jesus, love is the true litmus test of Christianity.  The Master Teacher made it so clear: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)  If we are not about love, we are not about Jesus!