I’m continuing my series of lessons called “Getting To Know Jesus.”

To catch up on the previous posts click HERE.

Today’s post will consider the teaching of Jesus. Jesus was the master teacher. I would recommend if you’re new to the scriptures to read Matthew chapters 5-7 and sit at the feet of Jesus and soak it all in.

Throughout the gospels, Jesus was referred to as a teacher.

  • John 3:2: “…Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher…”
  • Matthew 19:16: And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?”
  • Matthew 22:16: And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.”
  • Matthew 22:23-24: On that day some Sadducees…came to Jesus and questioned Him, asking, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother…”

The way that Jesus taught always had an impact on His listeners. He taught with reason, authority, and divine power to confirm His words. How much do you know about the teaching of Jesus? Many are surprised when they see what Jesus taught. Many are also surprised when they really get to know the teaching of Jesus on controversial topics like heaven and hell, salvation, worship, homosexuality, etc. When Jesus taught He often drove away many of His listeners. He wouldn’t be popular in our society today, at least to some. What about us? How will we respond as we consider the teaching of Jesus?

Jesus Taught with Authority from God

Throughout His ministry, Jesus spoke of the authority behind His teaching.

In Matthew 7:28-29 it says, “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”

When you read Matthew 5-7, Jesus would often say…

  • “For truly I say to you…” Matthew 5:20
  • “But I say to you…” Matthew 5:22
  • “Truly I say to you…” Matthew 5:26
  • “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Jesus taught that His authority came from the Father. In John 12:48-49, He said, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.”

The fact that the teaching of Jesus was authoritative has consequences for us today. His word is the standard by which we will be judged. Therefore, we should listen to His word.

In fact, the words of Jesus should be authoritative in every aspect of our lives.

Jesus Taught in Ways People Would Remember

Throughout the gospels, we see various ways in which Jesus taught.

Jesus often taught through regular conversations. Read John 4:1-29. As Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman, He started off by discussing something physical (water) and eventually changed the conversation to something spiritual in nature (salvation, marriage and divorce, and worship).

Jesus would often speak in parables as well. Those who heard these stories would have remembered them and would have been forced to really think, Matthew 13:1-23. These stories revealed important truths to people. They would also conceal truth for those who were not interested in the truth.

The Teaching of Jesus Always Produced a Response from His Audience

Christ’s teaching often brought about either amazement or anger from His listeners. I would encourage you to consider passages like Mark 1:23-29; Luke 4:16-22; John 7:37-47.

The teaching of Jesus often brought about conflict.

  1. This is not to say that Jesus was looking for fights as He taught. He taught with conviction, with power, and with compassion. Yet His words pricked the hearts of His listeners.
  2. A good example of this is found in John 8:12-59.
    1. Who was Jesus talking to?
    2. What did He say about Himself?
    3. How did His audience respond after hearing what Jesus said?
    4. How did Jesus respond to those He was speaking to?
  3. It was often the case that the teaching of Jesus often drove away the crowds, John 6:60-69.

Some Thoughts From Jesus

  1. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
  2. “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
  3. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
  4. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
  5. “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”
  6. “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”
  7. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”
  8. “Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.”
  9. “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
  10. “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”