Jesus the Master Teacher

Jesus the Master Teacher

When Jesus spoke to his own people (the Jews) he made them feel very uncomfortable. He challenged their understanding, presumptions and prejudices. He often spoke in a way that they could not understand, or in a way that was designed to break through their prejudices. Most of his contemporaries rejected his teaching, not because he did evil or did not know or keep the Law, but because his teachings were contrary to their own conclusions. The leaders of the people, whose positions were threatened, applied pressure to conform, as we read -

John.9:22. His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.

John.12:42. Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;

Peer pressure is very challenging and few have the moral courage to resist it. The cost of truth and discipleship is often higher than those who have things to lose are prepared to pay. This is clearly evident in the parable of the sower, as recorded in Matt.13:18-23. Yet Jesus used words that challenged the beliefs of those who heard him, words that would stretch their minds and challenge their understanding. His words were simple, while at the same time challenging and difficult, and often provocative.

Matt.13:10-11. And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

John.6:60, 66. Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” … From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

Why did they not respond to his teachings? They were clearly astonished at his teachings and by the signs and wonders he did. This is valid question, and one as applicable today as it was in the first century. We read these words –

John.1:11-12.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

Matt.7:28-29. And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark.7:32.  And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Matt.6:21.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This last reference sums it all up. They treasured the things they had and set their heart upon. The things of this life were of more value than the things of God. This is a common challenge, applicable for all times. The ideas  and message here is similar to what we considered in the parable of the ‘Pearl of Great Price’, and is also the same as what is found in the parable of the ‘Treasure hid in the Field’ (Matt.13:44-46). What is it that really has lasting value? Where your treasure is located is where your heart is centred, as your heart is the seat of your affection and desires.

This principle does not only apply to material things. It can apply to everything in the world, even to things that we might highly esteem. This is the basis of the enigmatic saying recorded in the following place.

Luke.14:26. If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

Jesus is here using hyperbole, a common literary technique or device of the times that expresses an exaggerated statement to emphasise the importance of the point being made. The words are not meant to be taken literally, as a comparison with Luke.10:27, Gal.5:14 and James.2:8 will show. What Jesus is saying is that discipleship, which means being a follower of him and his teachings, will mean that a person has to at times make very tough choices. Sometimes these choices may put a person at odds with those whom they are closest to. The cost of discipleship is high, although the way is easy.

But Jesus went even further than this personal challenge. He challenged those who had power and authority, and who therefore feared losing the security and benefits of their position. It was because of this challenge that his enemies conspired to have him put to death in a very public and humiliating way. This is a very common and often repeated pattern of expedience displayed by those in power, when their position is threatened. History is full of similar examples.

John.11:47-50.  Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. “If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”

Although their rationale was that Jesus’ death was for the benefit of the whole nation, it was rather just the excuse to protect the status quo, and their own position. This was the point of the parable Jesus told in Matt.21:33-46. The leaders of the people were the actual destroyers of the nation. Their behaviour and corrupt teachings were leading people in the wrong direction. Jesus speaks very forcefully on this in some of his final words, as recorded in Matt.23.

Matt.23:13.  “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.