Reflections on How Jesus Taught

Jesus talks a lot about following Him. ( Luke 9:23, Matthew 4:19) Paul says to follow him as he follows ( or imitates) Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) If we receive Jesus as our example in how to live a life pleasing to God, then those who teach should teach as He taught. How did He teach? First, with authority. The famous Sermon on the Mount does not end with the example of the house, or life, build upon the rock rather than the sand, i.e. doing what God says rather than just hearing them. Rather it concludes with verses 28 and 29. "And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes." ( Matthew 7:28-29 ESV) The background is that the scribes in their teaching, referenced the opinions of rabbis from earlier times. When we teach we should not give people our opinions but the Word of God. Acts 17:11 speaks of the people in the city of Berea being more noble than those in the city of Thessalonica because they examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true. Paul the apostle charges his disciple Timothy to "preach the Word." ( 2 Timothy 4:1-2) Did Jesus find it necessary to entertain people or tell jokes to attract their attention? I don't find this in the Gospels. Is it sinful to tell a clean joke? No, but if we are following the example of Jesus in our teaching, He did not do so. What about Jesus relating to people? Certainly the parables that He told used everyday examples like mustard seeds, grains of wheat, the sky turning red. But Jesus did not court popularity or compromise with people. When the rich young ruler went away sorrowful after Jesus told him that he must give away all his possessions (Luke 18:18-30), Jesus did not run after the man pleading with him, or changing the conditions. "Well, if you give 50% of your possessions. You don't have to give all." Not in there. In John 6:53 Jesus says, "So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day..." The unescapable conclusion is that Jesus is talking about cannibalism, and He never really explains it. Jesus did not make it easy for people Him. When they wanted to make Him an earthly king, He refused. Jesus never compromised the truth of the Word of God to gain an audience. We must follow His example.