The Master Teacher

Many people look upon Christ as the source of salvation. And this He is. But how many take note of His teaching skills? His ability to approach lessons and situations with gentle words is easy to see. He was the same with the comely as with the outcast and the erring. Consider how he treated the woman caught in adultery: He spoke softly and, while not condoning, did not condemn. What about the Syro-Phoenician woman who was willing to accept scraps from the master’s table? I’m sure there was a twinkle in His eye when He suggested she was a dog. Otherwise the woman would not have persisted or answered as she did. Then there was the Samaritan woman who had to go to the well at noon-day because the women of her village wouldn’t associate with her. His openness and gentleness allowed her to open up her life to Him and to receive salvation.

His examples and illustrations came from the listeners’ everyday life. This helped draw the lesson out so they could understand, but it also helped in retention. After hearing the story about the mustard seed and the mustard bush, who, among those who’d heard the story, could walk by such a plant without pausing to think about having faith? Who could see barns being town down to be replaced by larger ones without remembering the lesson of responsibility and stewardship?

And did He ever love children. He didn’t just give the disciples permission to bring children; He commanded that the children be brought. They, in turn, loved being in His presence.

We would do well, both as teachers and as parents to learn from Christ. Who to teach. How to teach. What to teach. He was truly the master teacher.

Have a great day.

Dr. G