John 7:46

Additional bible reading: Luke 4:16-32; John 7: 14-17, 45-53

Introduction

According to John’s record, the Chief Priests and Pharisees (the Jewish religious parties especially concerned with obedience to the Law) sent officers to seize Jesus. They were afraid lest His preaching should overthrow their power. While these officers were waiting to arrest Jesus, they mingled with the crowd. They heard Jesus teaching for themselves, and were astonished for they had never heard anything like it. They could not arrest Him – for He had arrested them.

Therefore they returned to the priests without their prisoner. Their reason? No one ever spoke the way this man does (John 7:46). How often we hear testimonies to the Son of God from the most unlikely places. We imagine these rough brutal men would never appreciate Jesus and His words. Yet surprisingly, they felt the power of Jesus’ words. They were sent to seize and arrest Him, but came back singing His praises. Surely the wrath of men shall praise you (Psalm 76:10). He compels His enemies to do Him homage.

We are going to consider Jesus Christ as the teacher – unique, marvellous, unsurpassed and unrivalled. John’s Gospel shows Him as much more than a teacher. He is the eternal Son, the Word of God, with God, and is God, Saviour of the World, Bread of Life, Light to the World. Yet He was also a preacher and teacher, a herald of God’s truth. As such, He was without rival and without comparison. Must never forget that.

His words are spirit and life - The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life (John 6:63). They have cleansing power - You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you (John 15:3). They bring liberty if we continue in them – If you hold to my teaching… the truth will set you free (John 8:31,32). The secret of the power and truth of His word is that they have divine origin - For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it (John 12:49). His words will be the final judge – That very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day (John 12:48).

All of Jesus’ recorded words could be put into one 16-page pamphlet. His longest recorded speech takes only fifteen minutes to read out loud. And yet He was the most wonderful teacher the world has ever seen. His words have wrought wonders, changed lives, brought new life, peace and rest to the living and the dying. Though spoken so many years ago, His words are still up to date, they can speak to us, change us, mould us, and will judge us at the last day.

Jesus words made a deep impression on all who heard Him

This was evident right from the beginning. Even before He began His ministry, as a boy of twelve, He lingered behind in the Temple to discuss things with the teachers there. All who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and His answers. As soon as His ministry began, at the age of thirty, much time was spent preaching and teaching, by lakesides, on the hills, in the synagogues, in private houses. He never failed to impress everybody. Nicodemus recognised Him as a teacher who has come from God (John 3:2). At Nazareth they were amazed at the gracious words (Luke 4:22), which came with power. Common people heard Him gladly. All tax collectors and sinners drew near to hear Him. He was a magnet to the worst of men. Even His enemies admitted He spoke like none other. After His death and resurrection, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus summed Him up thus: He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people (Luke 24:19).

Why was He so acceptable? He was clear and plain in His teaching, yet deep and profound. He always dealt with important matters. He spoke nothing trivial. He illustrated what He said using things which everyone knew – corn, sparrows, sheep, ploughmen, lilies, eggs, losing money and sweeping the house to find it. Why are sermon illustrations useful? They ease minds and give rest. People can only concentrate on sustained arguments for limited period. Often, the illustrations are the only things which are remembered. They also serve to recall wandering minds. But above all, they should be used to make the truth clear, to explain the truth, to help people to understand a point. They are windows to let in light. So with Jesus’ illustrations, they were windows to let in light.

Also the authority of Jesus was clear in His teaching. Truly, truly, I say to you… , He would begin. He never hesitated, apologised, modified or withdrew anything He had previously said. He predicted the future with complete conviction. He gave absolute moral commands, such as Love your enemies, and Do not be anxious about tomorrow. He gave promises He was sure He would be able to carry out, like Ask, and it shall be given to you. There was no “perhaps”, “maybe”, “I venture to suggest”. He knew He was handling God’s truth and revelation, and He did so with absolute assurance and confidence. He did not debate; He declared.

Jesus preached with warmth, and put Himself into the message. It came from His heart. He was faithful to people. We would say, He called a spade a spade. He said sin was sin, and He warned His hearers about the danger they faced. And yet He loved them, He wanted their best. He was never cold and academic, He did not speak with a “take it or leave it” attitude.

He loved the rich young ruler. He was tender to the woman taken in adultery. He welcomed babes in His arms. If He wounded, He also healed. Full of tenderness, He overflowed with sympathy. He wept over Jerusalem. He had deep compassion when He considered the people were scattered like sheep without a shepherd. People heard Him gladly; they marvelled and were thrilled. Their attention was arrested. He was clear and plain, He spoke with direct authority, and He was warm and loving. He meant every word He said. He recognised everyone – the workingman, the sinful man, the disciples, and the enemies.

His words have permanent value

That was in the first century. But what about today, and the modern world? Now everything is so different – technology, aeroplanes, education, science and medicine. Yet Jesus’ teaching is still up to date and as important as ever. People are busy looking at other religions, but they find in them so much that is inferior and poor mixed up with what is good. Jesus’ teaching is the highest and the best. It has a depth and intensity not found anywhere else. It is universally applicable, to all ages, centuries and countries. It is so complete, it touches lives at every point – what people do, the things they say, and the things they think.

His words touch the three great realities of life: Sin – of which Jesus calls for repentance; God – for which Jesus calls for trust; Man – for which Jesus calls for love. Each generation finds it new, fresh and inspiring. Even His enemies concede the importance of His teaching. The playwright, George Bernard Shaw, wrote, “After contemplating the world and human nature for 60 years, I see no way out of the world’s misery but the way Christ would have taken.” In the June 1992 issue of Evangelicals Now, and American minister, commenting on the Los Angeles riots of April 1992, did an analysis of the people of USA, living for pleasure, selfish, materialistic, lacking moral standards, full of anger and vengeance, lacking forgiveness, prejudiced, lacking respect for authority, violent, advocating drugs and alcohol, weak leadership at the top, family disintegration. He showed how relevant the teaching of Christ and the New Testament was to this situation, especially in dealing with the state of the human heart.

Politicians are wrong if they think the answers lie in education and economic improvement. The problem is in the nature of man, not in his environment. No law can change the heart. Christ is the only answer. Christians must live godly lives. The only message that will change things is the Gospel. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Matthew 24:35). It is relevant, inexhaustible and powerful.

Then Jesus embodied His teaching in His perfect, sinless life. He lives to enable those who trust Him to live like Him. Often He said, “Come”, “learn”, and “Abide in me”. His words contain not only precepts, but also the secret of how to practice them.

His words are verifiable

We can put His words to the test, and prove in our experience that they are true. We are going to look at some examples of His teaching and apply it to ourselves in the twentieth century. Firstly consider what Jesus has to say to the person who is far from God, who knows they are in the wrong, and who is trying to pile up enough good works for acceptance, but can never do enough, never be sure. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28). Go in peace. Your faith has made you well (Luke 17:19).

What does Jesus have to say to the Christian who is finding the Christian life an uphill struggle with sin and is feeling utterly defeated? Jesus asks, are you linked up to me? Joined to me? Is my life flowing through you? No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit (John 15:4,5).

What does Jesus have to say to the Christian who is going through times of anxiety, and who seems alone, whose way seems so dark and sees no light at the end of the tunnel. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him (Matthew 6:8). Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:30).

What if you have a serious decision to make soon that will affect your future and the future of others. It would be disastrous to make a mistake. I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

And to the person who is afraid of death and what lies beyond, what reassurance does Christ give? I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though He dies (John 11:25).

The Lord has a direct word for our condition that is relevant to our needs. He gives promises, warnings and commands, and all are verifiable. They have been tested and tried to see if they are reliable. Some people put “T&P” in the margins of their Bibles against every promise they have “tried and proved”. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching is from God or whether I speak on my own (John 7:17).

Christ’s words have dynamic and special power for making themselves a force in the hearts of man. We can be assured of their truth. Our destiny depends on our response to Christ’s words. Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall (Matthew 7:24). There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day (John 12:48). The final word is with Him. Each one will hear either the words, Come, you who are blessed of my Father, take your inheritance (Matthew 25:34), or Depart from me (Matthew 25:41). One way or the other, we shall all hear His voice. And finally all will agree that no one ever spoke the way this man does.

Conclusion

Jesus the teacher was unique, unrivalled and unsurpassed. He made a deep impression on all who heard. They never forgot, His words lingered in their memory. His words were clear, plain, and came with divine authority and warmth. They have permanent value. 2000 years after they were spoken, they are still valid and relevant. We still need them, and can all put them to the test, prove their truth and reality, whatever our condition.

Hudson Taylor summed up his own faith and experience in these words, “There is a living God. He has spoken in the Bible. He means what He says and will do all He has promised.”