RSS Feed
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sunday School Lesson
Many terms have been used to describe the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the only begotten son of God. John 3:16. Among these descriptions is "teacher." The gospel writers recorded much of the teaching of this man. The lessons taught touch all areas of life. However, the underlying theme is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 4:17. These teachings cut across the grain of the popular thinking of that day. The doctrine taught by Jesus was not some kind of new revelation, but an application - and amplification - of the things that had been given in the Old Testament. The teachers of the Old Testament law had developed a system of secondary laws that were being imposed upon their hearers. Many of these added laws were contrary to the teachings that had been originally given. These rabbis - teachers - were considered the final authority in all matters of the law. It is important for us to remember that authority can be assigned, acquired or assumed. The authority that is assigned must come from an even higher authority. The acquired authority can come from personal study or experience. These two sources are considered legitimate. However, the assumed authority is selfimposed, and is usually dangerous to those who come under its influence. At the conclusion of the teaching of the sermon on the mount, we are told that the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Matthew 7:28b, 29. As the rabbis would teach, they would quote other rabbis as their sources of authority. Thus, the authority was second hand. The teachings of Jesus were fresh, because they were the words of the heavenly father - the creator of the universe. John 7:16; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10, 24. This source was new to these hearers. We are told that Jesus "came down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power." Luke 4:30, 31. There is no indication that these hearers questioned the authority of Jesus. They, simply, accepted the message. We are told that, "in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the holy one of God." Luke 4:33, 34. The accuracy of the identity was not the question that was addressed by the son of God. The record tells us that "Jesus rebuked him, saying, Holy thy peace, and come out of him." Luke 4:35a. This evil spirit had no choice, since he had received his command from the son of God. However, this evil spirit made one last attempt on the life of this man - "And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not." Luke 4:35b. Apparently, the members of this congregation knew the man who had been delivered. "And they were amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out." Luke 4:36. Those who witnessed this deliverance could not keep the message to themselves. "And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about." Luke 4:37. Over the next two years, Jesus taught in many places and performed many miracles. Luke recorded a scene that occurred near the end of the earthly ministry of the son of God. Jesus was in Jerusalem. "And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority?" Luke 20:1, 2. These men had been aware of the ministry and teachings of Jesus. They had sent spies to capture him. John 7:45, 46. The fact of some authority was not the question. These men recognized something or someone whose authority exceeded that which they assumed. These prejudiced inquirers must have had some kind of feelings relating to these questions that they presented. However, they were not prepared for the response given by the son of God. Jesus presented these leaders with a challenge to the ministry that many of their group had witnessed - that of John the Baptist. Matthew 3:7-10. "And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men." Luke 20:3, 4. It is interesting to note that these men with all the answers were aware of the correct answer to this question. However, they decided that they needed time to consider their answer to the son of God. "And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet." Luke 20:5, 6. One can stall only so long before the answer must be given. These men had bought all the time they could afford. "And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was." Luke 20:7. These men cared little for the fact of their breaking of one of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:16. Thus, these men were not above breaking the law, if the situation seemed to lend itself to that act. These leaders were attempting to save face at the expense of their integrity. Following this false response, the master made this statement. "And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things." Luke 20:8. The heavenly father - the creator of the universe - gave to his highest cre- ation a discerning mind. The one, who made humans, expects each one to use the mental faculties that have been given. Thus, each hearer must be willing to question the teachings that are given, and judge them in the light of the revealed word of God. The teachings of Jesus Christ of Nazareth echoed the divine thoughts that had been given, but needed to be more openly worded in a way that the common people could understand. Mark 12:37c. The professional religionists of that day - and ours - use words and expressions that cover the message with their own mysteries. This religious speak language allows these specialists to impress some people, as they confuse the simple message of salvation and the love of God. This love reaches all mankind. Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9, 10; Ephesians 2:8, 9; I John 1:7-9.
|
for larger version       |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
