The teachings of Jesus Christ
Introduction
Throughout history there have been many teachers and prophets who spoke of urgent and important issues. Some of these teachers and prophets were sent from God and their words have been captured for us in the Old Testament.
But in all of human history there has never been a greater prophet or teacher than Jesus Christ. His message and authority are unparalleled.
His Sermon on the Mount and His final teachings to His disciples have been heralded by literary experts throughout the world as the greatest pieces of literature ever written. They provide insights found nowhere else in human writing.
Even today, after centuries of human development and social change, the teachings of Jesus are so relevant to human life that they could have been written exclusively for our generation alone. The wisdom and timeliness of Jesus’ teachings to human life, health and happiness are truly miraculous.
No other teacher or teachings could endure centuries of change and development. Only the wisdom of God that is revealed in His Son can endure and remain ageless…for God understands human beings as no other could understand us. He knows our needs, our pain and suffering, our ambitions, our problems…and the solutions to all our troubles.
Jesus, the teacher, offers wisdom for the human race that can be found nowhere else. It is a wise person who seeks to understand what He has taught us.
Jesus, The Prophet of God
God used several men throughout Old Testament history as His prophets to declare the words and warnings of God to the nations. Even these prophets of God knew that someday God’s true prophet would come to earth who would reveal God as no other person could. Jesus was that prophet.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus was recognized by the masses to be the prophet who God would send. His message, miracles and life proved His Divine mission to those who were privileged to hear Him firsthand.
Matthew 21:11; Matthew 21:46; Luke 7:16; Luke 13:33; John 4:19; John 6:14; John 7:40; John 9:17; Acts 3:22-23;
Teaching Ministry of Jesus
Jesus came to earth to declare God’s truths for all mankind. The plan and process that God designed has made certain that His truths would be available to the entire human race for all generations.
The most important and powerful part of God’s plan was to send His Son to the world as His supreme teacher of the people. While on earth Jesus taught the masses, the religious leaders and a group a self selected disciples who would be ordained to continue His teachings throughout the world after Jesus returned to heaven.
In the short space of three years Jesus succeeded in teaching God’s truths so convincingly and training a group of twelve men so precise that God’s words have been passed along for all these centuries against the most extreme circumstances and opposition. That alone is a miracle of Divine magnitude.
Jesus’ Teaching Ministry To The Religious Leaders Matthew 4:23
Jesus went where the religious leaders assembled…in their synagogues where He was given audience. As they listened the religious leaders were overwhelmed by His truth. Some rebelled while others embraced the insights and wisdom that only God’s true Prophet could possess.
Jesus’ Teaching Ministry To His disciples Matthew 5:1
Jesus selected a group of men as disciples who He would train to carry His message throughout the then known world after His return to heaven. He often took them aside privately to reveal and explain His truths to them. It was during these times that they had the opportunity to ask and receive a detailed explanation to some of His profound statements.
These twelve men were privileged to be personally tutored by the God of the universe. Sometimes the lessons were so extraordinary that Jesus had to rehearse the meaning over and over to them. Finally, their human intellect was made to understand the truths of Divine wisdom. These simple and ordinary men became God’s ordained scribes to the remaining generations.
Jesus’ Teaching Ministry To The Masses
Matthew 11:1; Matthew 26:55; Mark 4:1; Luke 23:5
At every occasion and opportunity Jesus made certain that the masses of ordinary people would receive the truths of God. Never in all of man’s existence has God avoided ministering to all people. Every person on earth is special to God and His truths are available for each one who desires to know what God is saying to them.
The Message of Jesus
(religious leaders) “And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.” Matthew 22:16
The message of Jesus is simple, powerful and effective. It can be summarized in one word, “love”, to embrace God, yourself and other human beings. For those who learn to follow its guidelines the results are a happy, successful and stable life.
Jesus introduced us to God, the Father, who is love. He revealed our Heavenly Father to us through His words and actions which declare God as One who desires the very best for every human being on earth. Jesus showed us what love will do.
Matthew 22:37-40
“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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Another word closely related to “love” is “respect”. Learning to respect the authority and sovereignty of our Creator, to obey and do His will, is the beginning of a healthy and happy life. Learning to respect oneself as a person of value and purpose is the answer to placing life’s priorities in proper perspective. Learning to respect other people as God’s creation with the same needs, fears and potential as you have is the foundation of peace on earth, good will to all men.
The message of Jesus is that…”life is that simple” whereby love can conquer our ills and fulfill our dreams.
The Authority of Jesus’ Message
Those who were privileged to hear Jesus speak realized the authority and wisdom of his teachings. Never had a man spoken with such power and insight before. There was something unique about this messenger who spoke far above the wisdom and training of mere mortals.
Today, centuries later, man is still awed at the wisdom and relevance of Christ’s teachings. His words are the most influential and effective guidelines available for human life even today. His words offer realistic solutions to life’s problems and hope for man’s future, both in this life and the life to come.
If mankind could learn to follow the simple teachings of Christ, our world would indeed be heaven on earth. Every problem facing our human family would disappear and man could enjoy the fullness and abundance of life where joy and peace reigns.
Jesus Christ came to this world with the authority of God to announce to the human race who God is and what God expects of His creation. Jesus announced to the world that God loves us…therefore we should love God in return…and one another as ourselves.
“For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Matthew 7:29
“And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:” Luke 20:21
“The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” John 3:2
The Method Of Jesus’ Teaching
Jesus, the great teacher, came to earth with a message from God to our human family. He wanted man to clearly understand the message and spoke with simple language whereby we could.
His favorite method for teaching God’s great lessons was by the use of “parables”…which are picture or story examples that illustrate a message.
Listed below are the parables of Jesus and their scripture reference.
PARABLES OF JESUS
The wise and foolish builders Matt 7:24-27, Luke 6:47-49
Two debtors Luke 7:41-47
The rich fool Luke 12:16-21
The servants waiting for their Lord Luke 12:35-40
Barren fig tree Luke 13:6-9
The sower Matt 13:3-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:5-15
The tares Matt 13:24-43
Seed growing secretly Mark 4:26-29
Mustard seed Matt 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32, Luke 13:18-19
Leaven Matt 13:33, Luke 13:20, Luke 13:21
Hidden treasure Matt 13:44
Pearl of great price Matt 13:45-46
Drawnet Matt 13:47-50
Unmerciful servant Matt 18:23-35
Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37
Friend at midnight Luke 11:5-8
Good shepherd John 10:1-16
Great supper Luke 14:15-24
Lost sheep Matt 18:12-14, Luke 15:3-7
Lost piece of money Luke 15:8-10
The prodigal and his brother Luke 15:11-32
The unjust steward Luke 16:1-9
Rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31
Importunate widow Luke 18:1-8
Pharisee and publican Luke 18:9-14
Laborers in the vineyard Matt 20:1-16
The pounds Luke 19:11-27
The two sons Matt 21:28-32
Wicked husbandmen Matt 21:33-44, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-18
Marriage of the king’s son Matt 22:1-14
Fig tree leafing Matt 24:32, Mark 13:28-29
Man taking a far journey Mark 13:34-37
Ten virgins Matt 25:1-13
Talents Matt 25:14-30
The vine John 15:1-5
Christ The Answer Prison Ministry 