Amazing teachings

Altar of Tudhoe Methodist Church

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching because he taught as on who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” Matthew 7: 28 & 29

Jesus amazed everyone through his teachings. He did not entertain the crowd which had gathered around him, but taught them the truths of the Kingdom of God. It was not the humour, but the authority which endeared his teachings to the masses. 

There were several teachers during the time of Jesus. They also talked about the commandments God gave to Moses and about God. But Bible says the crowd identified the difference between them and Jesus. Jesus spoke with authority. It touched them as many came asking him what to do and to clarify whether he was the messiah.  

Jesus’ authority came from the fact that he was sent by the Father, and his message was from God and about God. This authority in turn gave credibility to Him and his message.

But his message also demanded specific action from the hearers. Several people called Jesus: ‘Teacher,’ but few were willing to take necessary steps to follow his teachings. 

In Mark 10: 17 – 31, the rich young man asked Jesus, “Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He was impressed by Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom of God and wanted to inherit it. But could not follow through the instruction given by Jesus. He wanted his lifestyle and riches intact but still wanted to  enter the Kingdom of God.

But in John 3, Nicodemus, who called Jesus “a teacher who has come from God” (v.2), listened to him carefully and went back to his routine. But after crucifixion, when even Jesus’ own disciples fled due to fear, he went to Pilate with Joseph of Arimathea and asked for Jesus’ body. Though he did not follow Jesus openly when he was alive, took courage and indirectly declared himself a follower of Christ after his death. This is amazing when we consider most of the visible followers of Jesus, including his disciples, deserted him at the time of crucifixion.    

Jesus’ teachings are amazing, no doubt in that. It is very relevant even after 2000 years. But they are hard to follow as they demand hard changes in our lives. These radical changes are possible only with his help. We just need to seek his help like the father of the demon possessed boy who asked, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 24). 

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