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One does not often hear much said about Christ as a teacher. The reason is probably because it is generally accepted in the world that Christ was a great religious teacher, probably the greatest - but no more. Confucius, Buddha, Mohammed and others are also regarded as great religious teachers and their influence on Man’s thinking remains to this day. However, Christ, as in everything, has a unique place as a teacher. Nicodemus could say: “Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God”; then giving the reason: “for none can do these signs that thou doest unless God be with him” (John 3:2). The religious teachers mentioned above did not do signs like Christ did, neither did John the Baptist, even though as Christ said there was none born of women greater than he (John 10:41; Luke 7:28). |
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Christ accepted the title of teacher for he said: “Ye call me the Teacher and the Lord, and ye say well, for I am [so]” (John 13:13). It was no mere courtesy title, because it is evident that Christ taught. “He taught in their synagogues” (Luke 4:15). “Jesus went up into the temple and taught” (John 7:14). A concordance will show many other similar passages.As to the nature of Christ’s teaching it was with authority (Matthew 7:28/29). It was with grace (Luke 4:22) and it was irresistible (Matthew 22:22,33 & 46). No one spoke like Christ (John 7:46). Who Christ was (the Son of God) gave Christ’s teaching its authority and distinctive character. |
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What we believe as Christians hangs on Christ’s word. If we do not accept his word we become all at sea. We are to accept his word and none other: “But ye, be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your instructor (guide), and all ye are brethren... Neither be called instructors, for one is your instructor, the Christ.” (Matthew 23:8-10). Have these words been given heed to by the Christian profession ? Have not men set themselves up as teachers and their words treated as authoritative ? We need to see that we “accede to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ” as Paul says (1 Timothy 6:3). We have Christ’s authority for accepting the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-20; John 10:35 - the Scripture cannot be broken: it is one whole. We must either accept the lot or reject the lot) and we accept the teaching of Christ’s apostles |