Revealing Christ’s Teachings: Pedagogy and Transformation
The Teaching of Christ Revealed
The uniqueness of Jesus’ behavior defied definition based on family background or personal history alone. The question arose, “Who is He?” His answer, inconceivable to many, surpassed their hypotheses. Jesus employed intelligent pedagogy, revealing his identity gradually to foster conviction through a process of assimilation.
The Pedagogy of Revelation:
- The Master to Follow: Jesus calls all to follow him, implying a deeper commitment than initially perceived.
- The Need for a Meeting: Following Jesus requires a willingness to trust and a resignation to change. Matthew 10:39 emphasizes leaving one’s position for another.
- Breaking Away: Jesus asked followers to break from their past and face societal challenges, linking their salvation to their testimony. Matthew 10:32-33
- For My Sake: Jesus emphasized commitment “for my sake,” highlighting the potential hostilities faced by followers and placing himself at the center of human emotion and freedom. Matthew 10:14-18, 21-22, 24-25, 27; 12:46-50; 10:34-37, 39
The Moment of Identification
Jesus implicitly answered “Who are you?” by attributing to himself gestures and missions reserved for Yahweh in Jewish tradition.
Three Aspects of Identification:
- Origin of the Law: Jesus identified with the law, modifying its interpretation and thus identifying with its divine source. Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, 38-39, 43-44
- Power to Forgive Sins: Jesus forgave sins through words and actions, a power attributed only to God.
- Ethical Principle: Matthew 25:31-40, 41-44 presents Jesus as the ultimate ethical principle, the criterion for good and evil. Doing good is establishing a relationship with him, knowingly or unknowingly.
Living Well is Serving
Living well means to serve and follow Jesus. Matthew 10:37, 19-29