Some of the most incredible words to pass from the lips of man were spoken by one who came to Jesus by night, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). Jesus was not simply “a teacher come from God.” He was the Master Teacher. When Jesus preached, “the people were astonished at his doctrine.” When Jesus preached, He taught “as one having authority,” not simply as a scribe (Matt. 7:28, 29). When Jesus preached, “the common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37). When Jesus preached, “all the people were very attentive to hear him” (Luke 19:48). When Jesus preached, the people responded, “Never man spake like this” (John 7:46). What are some of the reasons Jesus was the greatest teacher and preacher the world has ever known?
Jesus knew His subject. Jesus had an intimate knowledge of those things about which He spoke. Having full knowledge of man’s state after death (Luke 16:22, 23) and of the resurrection of humanity (John 5:28-29), He could speak with authority. Knowing fully the circumstances of the final judgment (Matt. 25:32-46) and the condition of the saints in heaven (Luke 20:34-37), He could speak without fear of contradiction.
One who endeavors to teach spiritual matters today should likewise have a deep knowledge and understanding of those things he teaches (Heb. 5:12). Paul admonished Timothy, a teacher and preacher of God’s Word, to “give attendance” to the Scriptures, to “meditate” upon them, and “give thyself wholly to them” (1 Tim. 4:13, 15). The resultant growth would be witnessed by others (1 Tim. 4:15) and his ability to positively affect their salvation would greatly increase (1 Tim. 4:16). The man who would be an effective teacher delights in the oracles of God (Ps. 1:2; 1 Pet. 4:11) and faithfully says, as David, “in his law do I meditate day and night (Ps. 1:2).
The gospel preacher, though not an inspired man, should be so acquainted with the inspired Word that, as Luke wrote, even so he can say that he has “perfect (i.e., accurate and precise, cf. 1 Thess. 5:1) understanding of all things from the very first” (Luke 1:3). One who speaks without the proper knowledge of God’s Word will find himself “darkening counsel without knowledge” (Job 38:1), and in shameful embarrassment say, “I will lay my hand upon my mouth” (Job 40:4).
Jesus knew His audience. Of God, Solomon wrote, “for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men” (1 Kings 8:39). John affirmed that Jesus “knew what was in man” (John 2:25). Jesus knew those to whom He preached. He knew both their physical and spiritual needs (Mark 10:21). He knew what they needed to hear (John 3:3), when they needed to hear it (John 16:12), and how tender (Luke 22:31, 32) or severe (Matt. 16:23) it needed to be said.
For the local preacher and minister of God (and for the shepherds of the flock as we are addressing the case!), this has more to do with being out of the pulpit and office than in it. It has less to do with knowing the Bible and more with knowing the brethren.
Regarding the men who built the great tower, Moses wrote, “the LORD came down to see” (Gen. 11:5). Discussing the people of Sodom to Abraham, the LORD said, “I will go down now, and see” (Gen. 18:21). Applying the prophecy of Isaiah to Jesus the angel affirmed “they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matt. 1:23). When Jesus walked among men the people declared, “God hath visited his people” (Luke 7:16). If God saw fit to “come down” and to “visit his people,” should not those responsible for teaching, preaching, and shepherding the flock of God go out and walk among the brethren?
Jesus had something to say. Sitting in the house of a Pharisee and perceiving what needed to be heard, Jesus said, “Simeon, I have somewhat to say unto thee” (Luke 7:40). Peter testified of the “voice which came from heaven” (2 Pet. 1:18) declaring, This is my beloved Son…hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5). The first gospel sermon ever preached still calls upon all me to “hear these words” (Acts 2:22).
Jesus’ time on this earth was not in vain. He came with a heavenly word. The man who speaks the words of Christ speaks the words of the Father (Matt. 10:40; Luke 10:16; cf. 1 Thess. 4:8). That man should have something to say.
There is the man who feigns himself a preacher. He stands before the people of God preaching… because he has to say something… it is his job…it is how he makes a living. He is not prepared. He neither has an accurate understanding of the book, nor can he adequately to teach it.
Then there is the man who drinks deep from the well of God and is qualified to bring others to the living Word. He is the man who rises up before the sun, committing the word of God to his heart. He is the man who burns the midnight oil, searching the Scriptures for the Christ of God. He is the man who meditates on God’s Word day and night. He is studied. He is prepared. When he stands in the pulpit, like his Master, he has something to say, “the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess. 2:13).
These are but a few thoughts and lessons we can take from the life of Jesus as the Master Teacher. May the beauty of Jesus be seen when you stand before men to proclaim His gospel.