Why was He an astonishing teacher and not an ordinary teacher? What was so special about Him?
How can I learn from this Teacher and live my life for him?
Today I want to talk about Jesus the teacher, and I think that doing so will cause you to marvel at Him, and make you want to dig into His teachings again.
Many times Whenever I interact with my School Teachers, I have always observed Concern, Care, What can I do more for this child?, Generous with notes, Excited about transferring knowledge, they will not keep anything for themselves. They are happy when the class performs but most ecstatic when that one student who never passed, excels. Also, if you notice, the percentage of indifferent teachers to good teachers is very minimal. All of them have one or more of the above characteristics. Similarly, Jesus is a teacher. It’s a present tense because He always taught, never assumed that His disciples knew everything or they would learn by modelling. Yes modelling was kind of a tool that Jesus used (washing of the disciples’ feet), but it was mostly teaching.
In the book of Matthew, specifically, it mentions that, His teachings were astonishing, means it was not a regular teaching. Can you recall a ‘Teacher’ in your life, who has been astonishing? Astonishing, yes immediately, a face or episode flashes before you. In the book of Matthew, Jesus’ teachings were described as ‘Astonishing’.
Astonishing means extremely surprising or impressive; amazing. Here we are purely talking about the teaching and not the ‘Appearance'(Disclaimer)
1. Jesus was recognized as an astonishing teacher.
He was called teacher more than 60 times in the NT.
It was what most people called Him and what they most recognized Him as.
Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luke 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
I always thought this had to do with the unusual insight He had for a twelve year old, but I don’t think the astonishment was simply age related, He was an astonishing teacher.
The word ‘astonished’ is given 3 times in the book of Matthew.
Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Matthew 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?
Matthew 22:33 And when the multitude heard [this], they were astonished at his doctrine.
What was it about Jesus’ teachings that was astonishing?
2. Jesus was an astonishing teacher first of all because of His presence.
We miss a lot of the dynamics of Jesus’ teaching because we weren’t there
A concert on tv is never the same as in person.
A football game is a lot different in the stadium, than it is in your living room.
We miss not just His presence but the dynamics of the situations in which he taught we also miss:
The tension with Him and His enemies. It was real, it was tangible, it was pervasive, yet he never lost dominance in the room. Should we pay taxes? Whose inscription is on the coin?
The excitement of being around the miracle worker.
Think of someone you really like. Now if you were to describe them to someone else and say, that they are really fun to be around, do you think those words will ever fully convey the truth of what that special friend is like?
Jesus is that person who is really awesome to be around, and that is one of the reasons people were astonished at His teaching.
Communicators and pastors have a phrase we use to describe people who have “it”. By “it,” we mean that they are a really good communicator. The phrase that is used is, “he or she can fill the room.” In other words, there is something more about them, some people teach and can empty a room, or put the room to sleep. Really good communicators, can, no matter how big a venue is, make it feel full. There is no dead space, there is electricity in the room.
Jesus was an astonishing teacher because of His presence. As per our understanding it has to be the anointing of the Spirit, and a gift as an excellent communicator.
3. Jesus was an astonishing teacher because He taught with authority and power
He had so much of confidence that it astonished the people around him. A confident teacher will always convey the message to the students clearly, with authority and power. Non confident teachers will make the students confused.
Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
He said things only God could say.
This day salvation has come to your house. Your sins which are many are forgiven you.
No one ever in the history of the world taught stuff like that. That is teaching with authority.
He said things that changed people’s understanding of the scriptures.
15 times in the gospels Jesus says, “But I say unto you…”
Often in a context where He had just been quoting Moses.
The scribes were always claiming someone else as the authority behind their words. Even Moses did that, not so Jesus. He claimed an authority greater than that of Moses. If you want to hear words of truth about life and death, and heaven and hell, it’s more comforting to hear it from an authority, not a second hand source.
The Jews were sick of religious teachers who always argued with each other, and rejoiced that Jesus spoke with authority, without hesitation, without equivocation. He never said once, “I’m not sure about that.”
Another take on the idea that He taught with authority is found in the way one bible version translates this text: the Persic version renders it, “he penetrated them with it”; His word got into them. His word spoke to them, His word changed them.
If I have stolen anything I will repay it 4 times! That is a man that got changed by words that penetrated him..
4. Jesus was an astonishing teacher because His word was confirmed by signs.
John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
John 3:2 this man came to Him 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.”
That you may know the son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins, I say unto you…
No man eat of you ever again. The fig tree withered and dried up over night, that is authority!
Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. He claimed to be able to raise Himself from the dead, no one else ever did.
5. Jesus was an astonishing teacher because of the way He used stories to teach.
Matthew 7:3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
(Carpentry illustration)
The idea that someone would walk around with a huge beam stuck in his eye, and yet be oblivious to it, while at the same time being perfectly able to see the small speck in his brother’s eye is both outrageously funny and immensely powerful. He would use day to day examples to teach.
The story of the Good Samaritan (summary and modernized)
Religious scholar, eternal life. What does the law say?
Good do that. Justify himself, who is my neighbor?
A Priest,
A Levite,
A Samaritan.
He used this story to teach the man that he was not as good as he thought he was. He only wanted to be a good neighbor to people who were just like him. But sinners and outcasts he had no intention of loving as he loved himself.
Prodigal Son from Georgia (summary and modernized)
I want my inheritance.
He goes to Vegas
Lived on the streets eating out of 5 stars and 7 stars, wishing he could have another restaurant meal.
He came to Himself.
My dads workers live better than this.
He hitched all the way back to Georgia. The whole time he rehearsed his confession and apology.
His dad saw him a long way off. God sees people who are a long way off with loving and longing eyes.
He begins his speech, dad interrupts him, never lets him say make me a servant.
The son found out that his father had spent more time thinking about how to welcome his son back home than his son had spent thinking about how to confess.
He also found out that God doesn’t have any second tier kids. Caste systems exist all around the world. God doesn’t have second class Christians.
What are some of the barriers or obstacles a teacher faces?
1. Attention – When students are not attentive? No desire, don’t see a purpose.
2. Lack of Understanding – They make the same error time and again even after several explanation
3. Disrespect- Disrespect to the Teacher(Pharisees) – who is this who is talking like this?
4. Past experience – Past experience of the same subject and the teacher is disliked
5. Pride – The student feels I can buy the whole world no need to study, a barrier again.
A further illustration to this – let’s look at how it looks like in our real life.
What kind of students are we? When we have an eagerness to be a true disciple of Jesus, we’ll not only excel but we’ll become like the teacher.
He will teach me to face troubles
He will teach me in new ventures
Teach me to live a good life
Jesus is a teacher who astonishes us today
How do I receive all this teaching?
Sit with Jesus in His presence
Faith put into action
Seek from Him for all answers, He will direct and guide us.
Be a true learner and enthusiastic to listen.
Sandra wife of Virjil .The New Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that New Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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