Jesus, the Christ: Teacher
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Introduction

Jesus of Nazareth, known as the Christ, is revered not only as the Savior and Son of God but also as a profound teacher whose teachings have shaped Christian doctrine and ethics. His role as a teacher is central to His earthly ministry, as He imparted wisdom, moral guidance, and spiritual truths to His followers and the broader public. The Gospels provide a rich account of His teachings, which continue to influence Christian thought and practice.

Teaching Methods

Jesus employed various teaching methods, including parables, sermons, and direct discourse. Parables, such as the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9) and the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), were a hallmark of His teaching style. These accounts used everyday situations to convey deeper spiritual truths, engaging listeners and prompting reflection.

In addition to parables, Jesus delivered sermons that articulated His teachings on the Kingdom of God, ethics, and the nature of true righteousness. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is perhaps the most famous example, where Jesus expounded on the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and the Golden Rule: "In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12).

Authority and Wisdom

Jesus taught with an authority that astonished His listeners. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, who relied on tradition and interpretation, Jesus spoke with direct authority, often prefacing His teachings with "Truly, I tell you" (e.g., Matthew 5:18). This authority was recognized by the crowds, as noted in Matthew 7:28-29: "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes."

His wisdom was evident in His ability to address complex theological and ethical issues with clarity and insight. When challenged by religious leaders, Jesus often responded with profound wisdom that silenced His critics and revealed deeper truths, as seen in His response to the question about paying taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22).

Core Teachings

Central to Jesus' teachings is the concept of the Kingdom of God. He proclaimed its arrival and invited people to repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15). The Kingdom, as Jesus taught, is both a present reality and a future hope, characterized by God's reign of justice, peace, and love.

Jesus emphasized love as the greatest commandment, summarizing the Law and the Prophets with the dual command to love God and love one's neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). This radical love extended even to enemies, as He taught in Matthew 5:44: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Forgiveness and mercy were also key themes in Jesus' teachings. He taught His followers to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God (Matthew 6:14-15) and illustrated this principle in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35).

Impact and Legacy

The teachings of Jesus have had a profound impact on individuals and societies throughout history. His ethical teachings have inspired countless acts of charity, justice, and reconciliation. The transformative power of His words continues to resonate with believers, guiding them in their spiritual journey and daily lives.

Jesus' role as a teacher is integral to His identity as the Christ. His teachings reveal the heart of God and the path to true discipleship, inviting all to follow Him and live according to His example.
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Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
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Matthew 5:1
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came to him:
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Matthew 7:29
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
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Matthew 11:1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed there to teach and to preach in their cities.
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Matthew 21:23
And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you these things? and who gave you this authority?
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Matthew 22:16
And they sent out to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God in truth, neither care you for any man: for you regard not the person of men.
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Matthew 23:8
But be not you called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brothers.
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Matthew 26:55
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are you come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and you laid no hold on me.
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Mark 4:1
And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered to him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
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Mark 12:14
And when they were come, they say to him, Master, we know that you are true, and care for no man: for you regard not the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
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Luke 4:15
And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
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Luke 6:6
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
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Luke 20:21
And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that you say and teach rightly, neither accept you the person of any, but teach the way of God truly:
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Luke 23:5
And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
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John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him.
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Acts 1:1
The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
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Greek
4461. rhabbi -- my master, my teacher
... master, teacher Definition: Rabbi, my master, teacher; a title of respect often
applied to Christ. ... one; my honorable sir.' Explained by Jesus himself as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4461.htm - 7k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... When Jesus told people, "Your faith has made you well ... or the truthfulness of God
or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

Jesus was at First Proclaimed by the Twelve as a Worker and a ...
... formerly they proclaimed Jesus as the doer of certain things, and the teacher of
certain things; but now when Peter confesses that He was the Christ, the Son ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/18 jesus was at first.htm

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer
... V. JESUS CHRIST, THE DIVINE TEACHER OF PRAYER. A friend of mine ... Jesus Christ
was the Divine Teacher of prayer. Its power and nature ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/v jesus christ the divine.htm

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer (Continued)
... VI. JESUS CHRIST, THE DIVINE TEACHER OF PRAYER (Continued). Luke tells us
that as Jesus was praying in a certain place, when He ceased ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/vi jesus christ the divine.htm

Christ Our Lesson and Our Teacher
... Is this like Jesus Christ; is that what He would have done? ... correcting our daubs
by the perfect picture, we shall learn our lesson and listen to our Teacher. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/christ our lesson and our.htm

Christ, the Great Teacher
... STUDY I CHRIST, THE GREAT TEACHER. Scripture ... THE FOUNDER OF CHRISTIANITY. The
heart of the Christian religion is found in Jesus Christ. If ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study i christ the great.htm

The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion
... Kingdom. Section 41. John's Recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. Section 42. ... GENERAL.
Section 61. Christ a Spiritual Teacher. Section 62. Different ...
/.../neander/the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/

Teacher or Saviour?
... He is giving Jesus Christ a certificate, duly signed and sealed by Rabbinical authority. ...
should have been disposed to look with favour upon this new Teacher. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/teacher or saviour.htm

The Teacher Spirit
... brought into immediate connection here with the conception of Him as a Teacher. ...
clearness of understanding of the truths which are wrapped up in Jesus Christ. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the teacher spirit.htm

Jesus in the Temple.
... They were convinced that he was a teacher from God and ... Hence they asked, "When Christ
comes will he do more ... man does?" It must be remembered that Jesus did not ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus in the temple.htm

The Patient Teacher, and the Slow Scholars
... I. The grieved Teacher. ... One of the prophets says, 'Be astonished, O heavens!' And
be sure of this, that the manhood of Jesus Christ is not now so lifted up ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the patient teacher and the.htm

Resources
Who is Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Is there power in the name of Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Is Jesus God? Did Jesus ever claim to be God? | GotQuestions.org

Jesus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Jesus, the Christ: Taken Down from the Cross and Buried (Just Outside Jerusalem)
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