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Jesus Was The Ultimate Teacher
Matthew 5:17-48 September 11, 2005
In a hallway just off to the side of the large auditorium at Ithaca College there are
some large canvas portraits. Many of the former professors were captured in these
paintings and hung in a gallery that could have been described as “Who’s Who” in
Ithaca College history. These men and women had given their lives to teaching the
music students at the school. They had made an impression on thousands of young
lives. Today they are being honored years after their official teaching duties are
done.
The truth is that the influence of great teachers is felt long after that person leaves
the classroom setting. Just think about it. Do you remember your favorite
teacher?
Was it an elementary school teacher who was there for you in the days when the
world was becoming real to you, when you were beginning to understand who you
were in this big and often confusing world?
Or maybe it was a high school teacher who helped you decide what you wanted to be
when you graduated. He or she inspired you to reach for something that seemed
impossible a few years before.
Maybe your favorite teacher was more like a mentor. It could have been a boy or
girl scout leader, a Sunday School teacher, a friend’s father or mother. Over time
this person encouraged you and supported you and taught you the most important
lessons in life.
Memorable teachers come in all shapes and sizes. The thing they have in common
is that they care deeply about what they are doing and it shows. That love of the
subject matter is contagious.
These great teachers will use every tool at their disposal to make what they have to
share exciting and fun to learn. They learn to communicate in creative ways,
making difficult concepts easier to understand.
When you open up the gospels, one of the names used most frequently in
connection with Jesus is rabbi. Rabbi means teacher. Jesus was the ultimate
teacher. The gospels reveal him to be creative, innovate and even humorous. He
took simple every day things and turned them into object lessons. Fish and bread,
seeds, sunsets and other things he could pick up or point to were used to illustrate
the great truths of God’s kingdom. He used dramatic moments like walking on
water or stilling a storm to punctuate his point.
The most telling aspect of his relationship with those under his care, was the fact
that Jesus revealed a deep concern with each and every one of them. This was so
different from the other “so called” teachers of his day.
The Pharisees were learned men and supposedly charged with teaching the people
about God and his requirements. They did that alright! Their way was oppressive.
They highlighted all the laws and passed them out like heavy weights among the
people. They didn’t really care about them. They were more interested in laying
down the law. They were like the parent (I’m guilty of this so I’m not picking on
anyone here!) who when asked by their child why they have to do this or that, the
parent simply says, “Because I said so!” No explanation, no rational, simply a
commandment that has to be fulfilled.
Now before we pass judgment on the Pharisees, we need to understand that God was
the one who gave the commandments to begin with. God set up the parameters of
what we can and cannot do. The Pharisees only studied them, learned them and
passed them on. Unfortunately, they had their noses buried so deep in the books
that they lost sight of the fact that there were legitimate reasons for God’s laws.
You’ve heard people described as being “Book smart, but lacking all common
sense.” That was the Pharisees. They had no ability to relate to the people so their
teaching was often seen as something to be avoided.
Jesus, on the other hand, was welcomed and seen as refreshing and authoritative
when he began to teach. We are so blessed because in the Gospel of Matthew we
have a compilation of Jesus’ message preserved in what is known as the Sermon on
the Mount. This was believed to be one of Jesus’ first public teaching appearances.
Crowds gathered from miles to hear him. At the end of the message we read in
Matthew 7:28-29:
“The result was that when Jesus had finished these words the multitudes were
amazed at his teaching; for he was teaching as one having authority and not as the
scribes.”
What moved the people was the fact that Jesus obviously knew the law but he
delivered the teaching in such a way that they could understand it. What’s more,
they sensed that he cared about them and wanted them to understand what God
really wanted of them.
He explained things and they left with a greater understanding than they had ever
had before. Unlike the Scribes and Pharisees, who they saw as spewing out the law
and then breaking it as soon as they turned around, Jesus taught them what it
meant to observe the law and how it benefited them to do so.
The truth is that Jesus was reading the same laws that the Pharisees were. Some
people accused him of soft peddling the law, especially those who opposed him. That
is simply not the truth. If you look at Matthew 5 – 7 you will see that Jesus is
calling the people to take the road to righteousness. He sets the banner high. But
instead of throwing it at the people, Jesus creatively explains why it will benefit
them and how it will please God. He takes the law and explains the spirit behind it
and what God wants them to learn.
Look at the teaching and you get three things that Jesus is trying to lift up to the
people. In the first part of Chapter 5 Jesus tries to answer the question, “What
does it mean to have character?” He points out various states of life and reveals
how God builds character out of them. The poor will receive the kingdom, the
mourners will be comforted, the merciful will receive mercy and so.
The second question he answers is “how do we make a difference in the world?”
Everyone yearns to be significant. Jesus tells them that God wants that for us too.
The images of salt and light give expression to this.
Finally, in our text today, Jesus answers the question, “What does it mean to be
godly?” In his own creative way Jesus says six times, “You have heard it said… But
I say to you…” Each time he takes what they have learned from the Pharisees and
then expands it. In doing so he takes it from legal pronouncement to a way of life
that goes far beyond the law. He makes it harder on the people but he gets them
thinking about what the law really means.
Those of us who are old enough to remember, chuckled at Jimmy Carter when he
gave that famous interview to Playboy Magazine. He talked about sexual infidelity
and then went on to say that it was just as bad, as much of a sin, to lust after a
woman as to have actual relations with her.” He was laughed at by many people.
But read verses 27 & 28.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that
anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in
his heart.”
Laugh if you will, but Jimmy Carter knew his Bible. What is so refreshing about
this is that it points out the truth and lets everyone know where they stand. We
are all sinners. When you know the truth you can no longer hide. If you do you
become a hypocrite. That’s why Jesus pointed the fingers and tells the people that
in order to be godly men and women they need to be more righteous that the
Pharisees. They need to open their hearts to God and seek repentance and
forgiveness and then start over.
In a brilliant teaching moment with a man named Nicodemus, Jesus says you have
to be born again if you want to see the kingdom of God. You need to confess your
sins to Christ and start over, putting away all you have learned before and living
with and through him. And Nicodemus did just that.
Jesus gives three examples of the way in which the Pharisees practiced godliness
and then encouraged his students to go farther. He talks about giving, praying and
fasting. Each time he talks about the way most religious people do it and then tells
them they way it should be done.
When you give, give in secret. Don’t make a big deal about it so that others will see
and think highly of you. He says if you do it publicly, you will have your reward.
But if you do it from your heart, then God will bless you far more than you can
imagine.
He says the same thing about prayer. Don’t heap up big words so that you can
impress people with your piety. No, Jesus says go and pray privately and let out
your heart to god. That earnest prayer will be rewarded by the listening ears of god.
About fasting, Jesus simply says not to broadcast what you are doing and make all
kinds of faces that will cause people admire your sacrifice. He says do it quietly as
a devotional to god and he will bless you for it.
This is not to say that there aren’t important times to give publicly, pray out loud
and fast as part of a devotional journey. The point is the motive. Why are you
doing it? The Pharisees were doing it so the spotlight would be on them. Jesus says
these should be done to put the spotlight on God.
The people loved Jesus. Sometimes I wish I could sit at his feet and learn from him,
don’t you? Well you can. Last week we said Jesus was the word of God. Well open
the Bible and you will immediately be transported into his presence. He will speak
to you and bless you. You can learn from him.
Today our kids began Sunday School. I want to lift up a challenge to you today. I
want to challenge everyone here to open their Bibles and read the four Gospels over
the next six months. Matthew, Mark Luke and John. You know, we don’t read the
Bible and yet many of us do want to know God. We want to know what Jesus said
and did. In the gospels we read about Jesus life, death and resurrection. The
gospels record his teaching and his love for us. I can’t think of a better way to
honor him than to read his word. Will you join me right now in making a
commitment to read through the Gospels this fall and winter. I am setting a target
date of Easter to be done.
Matthew 5:17-48 September 11, 2005
In a hallway just off to the side of the large auditorium at Ithaca College there are
some large canvas portraits. Many of the former professors were captured in these
paintings and hung in a gallery that could have been described as “Who’s Who” in
Ithaca College history. These men and women had given their lives to teaching the
music students at the school. They had made an impression on thousands of young
lives. Today they are being honored years after their official teaching duties are
done.
The truth is that the influence of great teachers is felt long after that person leaves
the classroom setting. Just think about it. Do you remember your favorite
teacher?
Was it an elementary school teacher who was there for you in the days when the
world was becoming real to you, when you were beginning to understand who you
were in this big and often confusing world?
Or maybe it was a high school teacher who helped you decide what you wanted to be
when you graduated. He or she inspired you to reach for something that seemed
impossible a few years before.
Maybe your favorite teacher was more like a mentor. It could have been a boy or
girl scout leader, a Sunday School teacher, a friend’s father or mother. Over time
this person encouraged you and supported you and taught you the most important
lessons in life.
Memorable teachers come in all shapes and sizes. The thing they have in common
is that they care deeply about what they are doing and it shows. That love of the
subject matter is contagious.
These great teachers will use every tool at their disposal to make what they have to
share exciting and fun to learn. They learn to communicate in creative ways,
making difficult concepts easier to understand.
When you open up the gospels, one of the names used most frequently in
connection with Jesus is rabbi. Rabbi means teacher. Jesus was the ultimate
teacher. The gospels reveal him to be creative, innovate and even humorous. He
took simple every day things and turned them into object lessons. Fish and bread,
seeds, sunsets and other things he could pick up or point to were used to illustrate
the great truths of God’s kingdom. He used dramatic moments like walking on
water or stilling a storm to punctuate his point.
The most telling aspect of his relationship with those under his care, was the fact
that Jesus revealed a deep concern with each and every one of them. This was so
different from the other “so called” teachers of his day.
The Pharisees were learned men and supposedly charged with teaching the people
about God and his requirements. They did that alright! Their way was oppressive.
They highlighted all the laws and passed them out like heavy weights among the
people. They didn’t really care about them. They were more interested in laying
down the law. They were like the parent (I’m guilty of this so I’m not picking on
anyone here!) who when asked by their child why they have to do this or that, the
parent simply says, “Because I said so!” No explanation, no rational, simply a
commandment that has to be fulfilled.
Now before we pass judgment on the Pharisees, we need to understand that God was
the one who gave the commandments to begin with. God set up the parameters of
what we can and cannot do. The Pharisees only studied them, learned them and
passed them on. Unfortunately, they had their noses buried so deep in the books
that they lost sight of the fact that there were legitimate reasons for God’s laws.
You’ve heard people described as being “Book smart, but lacking all common
sense.” That was the Pharisees. They had no ability to relate to the people so their
teaching was often seen as something to be avoided.
Jesus, on the other hand, was welcomed and seen as refreshing and authoritative
when he began to teach. We are so blessed because in the Gospel of Matthew we
have a compilation of Jesus’ message preserved in what is known as the Sermon on
the Mount. This was believed to be one of Jesus’ first public teaching appearances.
Crowds gathered from miles to hear him. At the end of the message we read in
Matthew 7:28-29:
“The result was that when Jesus had finished these words the multitudes were
amazed at his teaching; for he was teaching as one having authority and not as the
scribes.”
What moved the people was the fact that Jesus obviously knew the law but he
delivered the teaching in such a way that they could understand it. What’s more,
they sensed that he cared about them and wanted them to understand what God
really wanted of them.
He explained things and they left with a greater understanding than they had ever
had before. Unlike the Scribes and Pharisees, who they saw as spewing out the law
and then breaking it as soon as they turned around, Jesus taught them what it
meant to observe the law and how it benefited them to do so.
The truth is that Jesus was reading the same laws that the Pharisees were. Some
people accused him of soft peddling the law, especially those who opposed him. That
is simply not the truth. If you look at Matthew 5 – 7 you will see that Jesus is
calling the people to take the road to righteousness. He sets the banner high. But
instead of throwing it at the people, Jesus creatively explains why it will benefit
them and how it will please God. He takes the law and explains the spirit behind it
and what God wants them to learn.
Look at the teaching and you get three things that Jesus is trying to lift up to the
people. In the first part of Chapter 5 Jesus tries to answer the question, “What
does it mean to have character?” He points out various states of life and reveals
how God builds character out of them. The poor will receive the kingdom, the
mourners will be comforted, the merciful will receive mercy and so.
The second question he answers is “how do we make a difference in the world?”
Everyone yearns to be significant. Jesus tells them that God wants that for us too.
The images of salt and light give expression to this.
Finally, in our text today, Jesus answers the question, “What does it mean to be
godly?” In his own creative way Jesus says six times, “You have heard it said… But
I say to you…” Each time he takes what they have learned from the Pharisees and
then expands it. In doing so he takes it from legal pronouncement to a way of life
that goes far beyond the law. He makes it harder on the people but he gets them
thinking about what the law really means.
Those of us who are old enough to remember, chuckled at Jimmy Carter when he
gave that famous interview to Playboy Magazine. He talked about sexual infidelity
and then went on to say that it was just as bad, as much of a sin, to lust after a
woman as to have actual relations with her.” He was laughed at by many people.
But read verses 27 & 28.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that
anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in
his heart.”
Laugh if you will, but Jimmy Carter knew his Bible. What is so refreshing about
this is that it points out the truth and lets everyone know where they stand. We
are all sinners. When you know the truth you can no longer hide. If you do you
become a hypocrite. That’s why Jesus pointed the fingers and tells the people that
in order to be godly men and women they need to be more righteous that the
Pharisees. They need to open their hearts to God and seek repentance and
forgiveness and then start over.
In a brilliant teaching moment with a man named Nicodemus, Jesus says you have
to be born again if you want to see the kingdom of God. You need to confess your
sins to Christ and start over, putting away all you have learned before and living
with and through him. And Nicodemus did just that.
Jesus gives three examples of the way in which the Pharisees practiced godliness
and then encouraged his students to go farther. He talks about giving, praying and
fasting. Each time he talks about the way most religious people do it and then tells
them they way it should be done.
When you give, give in secret. Don’t make a big deal about it so that others will see
and think highly of you. He says if you do it publicly, you will have your reward.
But if you do it from your heart, then God will bless you far more than you can
imagine.
He says the same thing about prayer. Don’t heap up big words so that you can
impress people with your piety. No, Jesus says go and pray privately and let out
your heart to god. That earnest prayer will be rewarded by the listening ears of god.
About fasting, Jesus simply says not to broadcast what you are doing and make all
kinds of faces that will cause people admire your sacrifice. He says do it quietly as
a devotional to god and he will bless you for it.
This is not to say that there aren’t important times to give publicly, pray out loud
and fast as part of a devotional journey. The point is the motive. Why are you
doing it? The Pharisees were doing it so the spotlight would be on them. Jesus says
these should be done to put the spotlight on God.
The people loved Jesus. Sometimes I wish I could sit at his feet and learn from him,
don’t you? Well you can. Last week we said Jesus was the word of God. Well open
the Bible and you will immediately be transported into his presence. He will speak
to you and bless you. You can learn from him.
Today our kids began Sunday School. I want to lift up a challenge to you today. I
want to challenge everyone here to open their Bibles and read the four Gospels over
the next six months. Matthew, Mark Luke and John. You know, we don’t read the
Bible and yet many of us do want to know God. We want to know what Jesus said
and did. In the gospels we read about Jesus life, death and resurrection. The
gospels record his teaching and his love for us. I can’t think of a better way to
honor him than to read his word. Will you join me right now in making a
commitment to read through the Gospels this fall and winter. I am setting a target
date of Easter to be done.
The First Baptist Church of Norwich
Part Two of a Series -
The Portraits of Jesus
The Portraits of Jesus