This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for July 6
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

After surveying images of Jesus in the book of Hebrews last month, we now turn to the Gospels. Throughout July we will consider various descriptions of our Lord. In today’s study, he is seen as the “Master Teacher.”

While Jesus was on earth, he was often called “Teacher.” It was an appropriate title. He influenced people by what he taught them. His disciples asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). He continued instructing them throughout his ministry (Mark 8:31). When crowds gathered, “he began teaching them many things” (Mark 6:34; see also Matthew 4:23; 5:2; 26:55). Even his enemies referred to him as “Teacher” (Luke 20:21).

No one has improved on Jesus’ teaching methods. Students of education and communication still study them. What’s more, his life was always consistent with what he said, ever faithful to his heavenly Father’s will.

Jesus’ Action, People’s Reaction/Luke 4:31-37

Verse 31. Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. Capernaum is down in elevation, adjacent to the Sea of Galilee, while Nazareth is up among the nearby hills. After the people in his hometown of Nazareth rejected him, Capernaum became the headquarters for his ministry.

Verse 32. They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. The rabbis taught in a completely different way. Lynn Gardner points out, “Jesus’ teaching was unusual because he did not quote one rabbinic authority after another as the scribes taught (Matthew 7:28, 29). He presented his teaching direct from his own personal authority.”

Verses 33, 34. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon. Demons are evil spirits with allegiance to Satan and opposing God. Throughout the Gospels we see them damaging people. Sometimes they caused a physical ailment such as blindness or loss of speech (Matthew 12:22); at other times they took complete control of the person (Mark 5:1-5). Feeling threatened by Jesus’ power, the demon objected, “Ha!” (meaning, “Let go!”). The title Holy One of God was a designation of the Messiah (see Psalm 16:10). These creatures knew full well who Jesus was and they were aware of the fate awaiting them (James 2:19).

Verse 35. “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Jesus would not accept praise from these evil forces. He was aware that his enemies later would charge that he was in league with them (Matthew 12:24). Moreover, it was not time yet for anyone to disclose this information. The demon came out and Luke, like a good doctor, notes that it did so “without injuring him.”

Verses 36, 37. All the people were amazed. Never had they seen a teacher like this. Little wonder that the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. His miracles confirmed his message.

Leaders’ Challenge, Jesus’ Response/Luke 20:1-8

Verse 1. One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. This was on Tuesday of the Final Week before Christ’s death. It is sometimes described as the “Day of Questions.” Christ’s enemies included both Sadducees (chief priests) and Pharisees (scribes), along with a formal delegation from the Sanhedrin.

Verse 2. “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” The religious leaders knew his authority hadn’t come from them! So where did he get it? They had asked John the Baptist a similar question (John 1:19-25) and even challenged Jesus himself, early in his ministry (John 2:18). This day included a series of encounters designed to entrap him or cause him to lose face with his followers. To the leaders, Jesus was an unauthorized, self-appointed meddler in their affairs.

Verses 3, 4. He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?” Jesus turned the tables on his critics. In so doing, he also focused on the two alternatives. Either John’s work was authorized by God or by man. Which was it?

Verses 5, 6. They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?” But if we ask, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” The questioners found themselves between the proverbial “rock and a hard place.”

Verses 7-9. So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” Embarrassed, his enemies found themselves in an awkward position. They didn’t dare answer his question. Jesus then replied, “Neither will I answer yours!” Lewis Foster notes, “At the same time, he had actually answered their question, and they knew it.” John’s authority was from God and so was his. By deftly handling his hostile attackers, Jesus proved himself once more to be the Master Teacher. |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.