The above words were spoken by the Lord when he was confronted by men who had “seen (him), and believed not”, who murmured against him because of his claims (John 6:36, 41,45). He knew that the Father was actively involved in drawing men to him: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.” God was initiating the process of redemption and bringing those He chose within the ambit of Jesus’ redemption. Those privileged to be called by God, Jesus would jealously guard: “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (v37). The Father would initiate the process; the Son would complete it: “I will raise him up at the last day” (v40). The critical element was divine education, instruction about the Father: “Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (v45). Jesus, in word and deed, was the clearest demonstration and manifestation of the Father to ever appear among men. The inevitable consequence therefore of any man instructed in the Father’s ways was for him to be drawn like a magnet to the Son. To be in unbelief showed ignorance of the Father.
We might pause and contemplate the immensity of the privilege we enjoy and the concomitant responsibilities that it brings.
Jesus Christ was the greatest teacher of all time. Even his detractors could not help but confess this: “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” and “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:15,46). How many times do we read of Jesus teaching the people in the Temple and indeed in all the places visited during his ministry. We marvel at the parables that flowed one after another from his mouth, which so encapsulate the pith and essence of the lesson of the moment. He was devoted to the instruction of disciples and followers, always bringing to the fore in the most poignant way the truth that would put his hearers on the road to eternal life. He was the “Saviour of the world”, and every utterance was calculated to convince his audience of this. Failure to understand who he was in the divine purpose was fatal. Claims that might have seemed preposterous and presumptive were not, but were true, the miracles giving them sanction and validity.
As the greatest teacher of all time, all others were and are dwarfed by him: “He that cometh from above is above all” (John 3:31); “he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him” (v34).The greatest speech ever heard among men was spoken on a mountain overlooking Galilee. When he was set, “his disciples came unto him”, and “he opened his mouth, and taught them.” It is commonly known as the ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ Gracious words were heard as he pronounced blessings upon “the poor in spirit … they that mourn … the meek … they which hunger and thirst after righteousness … the merciful … the pure in heart … the peacemakers … they which are persecuted for righteousness sake” (Matt 5:1–12).
He continued to analyse the nature of sin, teaching that it had its origin in thoughts. Words and deeds result from thoughts in the heart. If the victory over sin is to be won then the thoughts preceding it have to be vetted and purified. Herein lies the key to his own sinlessness. “Ye have heard that it was said … Thou shalt not kill … But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause …”
By the time he had completed this groundbreaking discourse, his hearers “were astonished at his doctrine”. It was not just the incontrovertible truth that lay behind his words, but the power and authority of his utterances. The contrast with the lame words of the scribes, given to citing from those preceding them, could not be dismissed from the minds of his hearers: “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt 7:28–29).
Teaching and the Levites
The tribe of Levi obtained the priesthood, which had initially been allocated to the firstborn. This privilege was granted them because they remained true to God when Israel worshipped the golden calf at the foot of Sinai, when Moses and Joshua received the ten commandments (Num 3:45). They were entrusted with the sacred task of educating the nation in God’s ways: “They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law” (Deut 33:10).
When faced with insuperable odds Jehoshaphat saw the need for petition and praise by the Levites (2 Chron 20:14,19). The great reforming kings of Judah, Hezekiah and Josiah, both saw the need for the Levites to perform their appointed roles of teaching and service (2 Chron 29:4–11; 35:3). So also did Ezra when he instituted reforms in the wayward remnant that had returned (Neh 8:9). Besides the prophets whom God raised up it was their responsibility to learn, know and teach the law of their God: “For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of Yahweh of hosts” (Mal 2:7).
Relevance to us
Education in God’s ways is essential. As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ we must learn about him. How can we teach others if we have not ourselves been instructed, “taught of God”. Every follower of the Lord needs to spend time in the Bible. Our daily readings coupled with earnest prayer help us to keep worldly thoughts at bay and hence to purge our ways. In other gracious words of our Lord he says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt 11:28–29). Here the invitation to come is coupled with “learning” of him. There is a transformation of the mind resulting from this learning that no other learning can give. We all know we need and want the rest that only he can give, but sometimes we do not avail ourselves of the means of attaining it. This world abounds with distractions that can take our focus off “the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14). It is a strange thing that it can take us a lifetime in the Truth to reach the conclusion that nothing, absolutely nothing in this world compares with the promise of life and peace held out by our Lord to the faithful. All the world’s prizes are hollow and have no substance.
We need to set aside time to meditate upon the record of the life of our Lord if we are going to learn of him, and also if we are going to teach others: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2). We all have the responsibility to grow in understanding and to apply ourselves to this matter of learning and teaching, whether mothers, fathers, grandparents, whether ‘lecturers’, exhorters or Sunday School teachers or youth group leaders. There is no substitute for time spent reading your Bible and thinking about its message.
The day is soon to dawn when the Lord will be in the earth. We will, if found worthy, be given rewards of power and authority in that day. As kings and priests we shall bring light and understanding to humbled and ignorant survivors.
Our Lord’s ear was attuned daily to the Word of God. There was careful listening, heeding and attention to what he heard (Isa 50:4). This was the key to his knowledge, understanding, ministry and perfection. Though cast in different roles to him, the principle of attention to the voice of God in His Word remains the same.
Why would we choose to read fiction, newspapers and gossip magazines, the emanations of the dark minds of men, instead of the Holy and inspired Scriptures? Is reading the Bible a lost art? Is it as prevalent in our community today as yesterday? Have busy lives displaced family Bible reading? Remember, our values will become those of our children. The Apostle Paul’s words are as relevant today as when Timothy first read them, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).
Further reading about the greatest teacher
- Nazareth Revisited, Robert Roberts
- The Teaching of the Master, Mark: The Gospel of the Son of God, L G Sargent
- A Life of Jesus, Melva Purkis
- Gospel of John; Parables of Messiah, John Carter
- Jesus Healer and Teacher, W F Barling