Jesus the Model Teacher
He taught as one having authority, not as teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:29) A recurring reference in the Gospels is one to Jesus as Teacher. And yet, Gospel references to Jesus teaching in formal settings are few. Yet, in the history of the human race there has never been person whose teaching has had such a profound influence across nations, cultures and centuries, as has the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus the teacher, what did it look like? He met people where they were at in their states of body and soul In his many encounters with people Jesus recognised their physical needs and their deeper spiritual needs. In his manner of encounter, he affirmed their human dignity, restoring health of body while inviting interior transformation His style of teaching The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7; Luke 6:20-49) is one insight into his teaching which was more discursive and straightforward, beginning with a declaration, a summons, then an invitation. Generally however, his teaching was not explicit in moral directives. Instead, he used a variety of strategies to awaken conscience, to evoke personal response. The asking of searching questions was a common theme in his method of teaching. He used proverbs and parables extensively to explain concepts, to arouse curiosity and to fire the imagination. In his use of proverbs and parables he displayed a deep understanding of the human character and of the circumstances of his ‘audience’. A constant feature of his approach was the asking of questions with the power to transform. His resources No blackboard. No whiteboard. No laptop. No iPad. No data projector, and definitely no Twitter ! He had no rank, no position power. His greatest resource was his moral authority. He taught from within, from a place of knowing, understanding, and wisdom. He drew from nature and from the events and circumstances of the people among whom he lived --birds, flowers, mustard seeds, fig trees, vineyards, water, fishing, wine skins, wedding feasts, ailments, disputes, bereavements. His environment was his classroom. As a good Jew, he was familiar with the ancient Hebrew scriptures often making linkages to highlight the unfolding of the old law to the new law of love deriving from his Incarnation. His mission His mission was to embed the reign of God in the hearts of people. While respecting all the commandments, he declared as the greatest commandment, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37)
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