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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. (Matt 7:28-29 NIV84) [see these verses in their context below]
More than a great teacher
Many people have said, “Jesus was a great teacher.” But by saying this, they minimize who Jesus is as if He was one of many other great teachers. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Jesus wasn’t just a great teacher, He was the greatest.
What made Jesus the greatest teacher wasn’t His style or His extraordinary oratory skills. Why did Jesus stand out as the great teacher He was? As we’re told in several places in the gospels (Mark 1:22; Luke 4:32, 36; John 7:46)—
…he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. (Matt 7:29 NIV 84)
But what does this mean?
Insights to consider
I’ve heard many good teachers who taught in an authoritative way. These teachers were authoritative with their teaching because they understood what they taught and could explain it in a simple and clear way.
I saw this in the man who taught the one and only Greek course I took. He was one of the scholars on the original NIV translation, so he had an expert academic understanding of the subject. What made him stand out to me was his ability to explain in a simple and clear way what was complex and nuanced.
I not only learned some Greek grammar from him, I observed and began to learn how to teach in a more effective way. Since then, I’ve tried to do the same when I teach.
True Wisdom
Jesus didn’t just teach in an authoritative way, He taught with authority in a way that amazed people.
He didn’t just teach what was true. He was and is the truth personified (John 1:1, 14).
We could say Jesus had an unfair advantage because He was both human and divine in nature. This dual nature was needed so the truth could be expressed and heard in its fullness.
This is one of the reasons the Sermon on the Mount stands out to so many of us. Jesus explained the truth at a human level for everyone to understand. He also declared and expounded truth beyond natural human reasoning—truth only revealed by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17, 26; 16:33).
Higher learning
The crowds of people—mostly uneducated, needy, and poor—were astonished by the teaching and authority of Jesus in contrast to the teaching of the scribes or experts in the Law.
There are a lot of self-proclaimed experts who spout their opinions on many current concerns, issues, and trends. Their expert status is often based more on higher learning in university and their personal agendas rather than life experience and reality.
Jesus presented the Kingdom of God according to God’s design rather than the nationalized version the Jewish leaders envisioned. This is seen in the Beatitudes, including Jesus’ teaching using the salt and light metaphors.
Jesus reinterpreted the Law back to God’s original intent and in light of the New Covenant to come. A New Covenant Jesus would establish by fulfilling the Old Covenant through His death and resurrection (Matt 5:17).
Jesus taught the people what true religion and true faith ought to look like through His teaching, unlike the example and teaching of their self-righteous leaders.
Jesus gave clear instructions on what the true way of life is to be like in God’s Kingdom. Again, the way of life Jesus described was in great contrast to what the people saw and heard from their religious leaders.
Finally, Jesus spoke of true wisdom outlined in four warnings. All four warnings require wise choices to avoid the pitfalls and consequences of ignoring these warnings.
When you read the words of Jesus, does His authority ring true in your heart?
Of all that Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, what spoke to you most personally?
Reflection—
What made Jesus the greatest teacher wasn’t His style or His extraordinary oratory skills. Jesus taught with authority in a way that amazed people because He taught the truth and is the truth personified.
Prayer Focus—
If you find your heart unmoved by what Jesus said and how He taught, either ask the Lord to renew the authority of His teaching for you in a fresh way or ask the Lord to reveal the truth and power of what He taught in a new and personal way.
Devo Scripture Text
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.“
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
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 7:13-29 NIV84)