Story, Wk. 24 03/26/17—Highland—Meute
Psalm 100; Mark 4: 35-41
Pearl: Jesus taught authority and authenticity.
Function: To reveal the essence of Jesus’ message and how it is meant to be incarnated in his followers.
Jesus, was often referred to as “Rabbi” because he taught with an “authority” quite unlike anyone the people knew. This “authority” came from beyond him! Before he left his disciples to return to the Father, he said: “All authority in heaven and in earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). Indeed, he was like no other! Being surrounded by many teachers in this congregation I asked for some input on the subject of “master teacher.”
As I share their insights, from what you know of the Bible, consider whether these would describe Jesus…
1. Master teachers possess:
a. Kindness
b. Patience
c. A true love of and belief in students
d. Always being well-prepared
e. Mastery and love of content
f. A “big picture” of developing students as great and caring people
g. Relating to students in a sincere manner
h. A positive role model
i. Passion for the profession
j. Master teachers believe that all students can learn, and they are committed to the success of their students
k. They possess a deep understanding of how students learn and develop
l. they strive to create positive learning environments for all students, regardless of current skills or ability levels
2. Jesus showed a familiarity with his subject matter which people could tell was sincere and real.
a. He likely came alive as he spoke. He was animated with a passion for what he was talking about which came from both mind and heart.
3. There was a life to what Jesus taught. What he spoke about fired the imagination and stirred people’s spirits.
a. They could sense that he spoke truth because it was like food for the soul.
4. That which Jesus spoke opened people’s minds and hearts to a new world altogether…a world of beauty, wholeness, symmetry, power, harmony after dissonance…it was as some even said, “a new teaching.”
5. What he taught was not “novel” but substantial. It seemed “new” but yet resonated with the deep places of heart and mind because it was old and familiar yet fresh as the morning sun.
Rabbi Jesus, the Master Teacher, presented a realm which was already partially present. He opened that realm in such a way that the world changed forever!
a. Jesus spoke of a “kingdom.” His primary message during his short career before the public was: “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” In the three synoptic gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus mentioned the kingdom over 60 times.
Jesus presented the ways of God’s realm as being counter-intuitive.
1. In conventional thinking you figure that the more you give away the less you have. In the realm of Christ the more that you give the more that you have. Your needs are provided and you are blessed in many ways due to your generosity with your time, money, and unique giftedness.
2. In human thinking you should keep up your defenses and strike out before you are struck. Your Lord bids you to pray for your enemies, to bless and not curse them.
3. When he fed 5,000 people with only five loaves and two fish, he was giving all of his followers an example and a metaphor to follow. When you think you are at the end of your resources and abilities, you can press on with his good work and he will assuredly provide the resources.
a. The Lord’s ways and realm lead to life, wholeness, symmetry, and beauty.
During his short time on earth with the first disciples Jesus continually demonstrated his “authority” and “mastery” of life.
1. One time He demonstrated his authority over the elements of wind and sea.
a. He did this to show what God’s reign can do for people when the storms of life assail.
i. He was asleep in the boat when a storm struck the disciple’s boat. Many of his twelve disciples were fishermen but they were terrified. They woke him, incensed that he was sleeping at such a time. They appealed to him, “Don’t you care that we are going to die?”
ii. So, he spoke commanded the wind and the sea to be still and there was a dead calm. Then their fear changed to a different kind—such that they knew they were in the presence of the holy!
iii. Jesus has authority over the storms of life.
2. So, you should appeal to him in those times.
3. What storms are raging in your lives?
Jesus has authority over the storms of life because…all authority in heaven and in earth belongs to him!
1. You are meant to trust him. You are meant to put your faith in Christ, the sovereign one who is almighty over all.
2. The original disciples asked, “Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
3. Indeed, that is the question! Who is he? That will be next week’s question.
He was “no ordinary man.” He was the Master Teacher of Teachers. He taught as one with authority, an authority was given to him by the Father.
Jesus was consumed with his Father’s mission. He was so passionate and alive with his Father’s mission that it was completely contagious. Another sign of a Master Teacher is that what they teach is “caught” more than “taught.”
Sometimes master teachers appear unexpectedly. This week I learned from a young boy named Campbell. A documentary video of Campbell is circulating around. God is very much present in Campbell.
1. The boy is consumed with a mission. He makes stuffed bears to give to children who are sick in hospitals.
a. He comes home from school and goes directly to his sewing machine. His mother said he would be at his sewing machine 24/7 if he could.
b. He doesn’t go out and play as most children. He works on his stuffed animals. He does so happily and gladly with a driven-ness.
c. He is one of nine children and definitely is different. One time he became interested in giving Christmas gifts to sick children at Christmas. His mom said she shops for nine children and cannot do so for the children at the hospital.
i. He responded, “I’ll make the gifts.”
d. He has literally made hundreds of unique stuffed animals and personally gives them to sick and suffering children in hospitals.
2. Campbell’s father got sick with cancer. He had surgery and chemotherapy. The cancer returned. Campbell made a special bear for his father. He told his father it was “Winner Bear.” It would help him beat cancer. A year later, his father was still in remission. His father said with tears, “This bear has something magical. Campbell has some magic.”
3. Campbell has the spirit of the Lord upon him. He is consumed with a mission of mercy and compassion.
Jesus was consumed with his Father’s mission to present the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said, “Repent! For the kingdom of God has come near.”
1. To repent is to adjust and tune your vision, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling.
2. It is to do so again and again.
3. It is to change your posture to take in more than you took in before.
By so doing you will learn from the Master Teacher, Jesus, and you will be an incarnation of God…like Campbell. That was Jesus’ goal as a teacher. He sought to “make disciples” who would also make other disciples.
