Jesus, the Master Teacher

by Doy Moyer

Teaching is hard work. Trying to determine the best approach to teaching a variety of people from diverse backgrounds brings many challenges. What appeals to one group might not appeal to another. Some will hear what others will not, and Scripture anticipates this (e.g., Isaiah 6:9-10). Add to this the ample warnings about the responsibilities that come with teaching (James 3:1).

We are not left without precedent about how to teach. We have many examples in Scripture that we can look to, from Moses to David or Peter and Paul. There are great sermons, psalms, and writings to consider and emulate. Yet, there is no greater example of teaching than that of Jesus Christ. He is the Master Teacher. This should not surprise us, for He is God come in the flesh who brought light to darkness and provided the words of eternal life (John 6:68). Where else can we ultimately go?

Jesus employed various techniques, which had a tremendous impact on His hearers, even when they did not believe or obey. Consider some of these methods:

Object Lessons

Jesus used situations, objects, and visual aids to maximize His effectiveness. Think of His calling a child to teach that people need to become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-5). His miracles are a prime example, as He used them to teach greater spiritual lessons. For instance, His healing of the paralyzed man demonstrated His power to forgive sins (Mark 2:1-12). His healing of the blind man demonstrated His ability to bring people out of darkness into light (John 9).

Parables

Jesus often spoke in parables, which prompted the disciples to ask why (Matthew 13:3-17). The parables provided a window into the nature of the kingdom by drawing comparisons between earthly circumstances (often agricultural) and the realities of the spiritual world. Not everyone understood them initially, but those seeking truth could gain insight into God’s heavenly kingdom.

Analogies and Fulfillment

Parables are analogies, but Jesus also used historical people and situations to compare with what He was doing. He used types and antitypes to show how He was the greater fulfillment of what God had revealed previously. For example, Jesus used Jonah as a type of His resurrection (Matthew 12:39-41). He compared His going to the cross with the serpent that was raised up in the wilderness (John 3:14). He compared historical judgments with future judgments (Luke 13). Even His life was purposefully patterned after the Exodus account to show He is the greater fulfillment of Moses and the covenant (Matthew 2:15).

Questions

Jesus was a master at asking the right questions to draw out intentions, inconsistencies, and ironies. When tested by a lawyer about eternal life, Jesus asked, “How does it read to you?” (Luke 10:25-29). After a day of being tested by several groups, He turned the tables by asking them about David and the Messiah, “If David calls Him (the Messiah) Lord, how is He his son?” (Luke 20:44). When being questioned about authority, He said, “I will also ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?” (Matthew 21:24-25). His questions were piercing and exposed the motivations of His detractors.

Discourse

Jesus taught by normal speech and conversation. He preached, and the Sermon on the Mount is a prime example. He used metaphors and other figures but spoke directly to the point. Truth was always the purpose.

Example

Jesus didn’t just tell; He showed. He taught by example. For instance, His prayer life is an exemplar of how to pray. His handling of temptations shows others how to do the same. His patience through suffering is an example for us to follow in His steps (I Peter 2:21-25). In His death, He showed the attitude of forgiveness. He also showed the kind of love He wants His disciples to have for one another (John 13:34-35). His life is a pattern for His disciples to strive to mirror in their lives.

Timing

Part of what made Jesus’ methods so effective was His timing. He knew just what to say and when to say it, when to speak and when to keep silent, and what level of gentleness or severity was needed at any given moment, depending upon those who were being addressed.

Even though Jesus was the Master Teacher, there was no guarantee that those who heard Him would listen and obey His will. Many still turned and walked away (cf. John 6:66). Teaching aims at the heart, but the heart must be willing to hear that message. Teachers of God’s word today can learn from Jesus’ example about methods to use when teaching, but we must also remember that God gives the increase. Some will hear; others will not. Our task is to be faithful to the message and seek to spread it as opportunities arise. This is what Jesus, the Master Teacher, demonstrated.