Words that Teach
Some of you might remember an old song by the Bee Gees called Words. It went "it's only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away".
Well, some people read the Bible and think "it's only words. Nothing special about it - just a book about some people who lived many centuries ago. We've moved past such words now."
But I want us to turn to Luke 4 this week, and see that the people who witnessed Jesus in the flesh didn't experience Him as saying only words. There was something special about His words! In fact we read in Luke 4:31-32 that Jesus "went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath He taught the people. They were amazed at His teaching." (Luke 4:31-32)
Jesus: The Ultimate Teacher
Notice that Jesus' words were truly words that taught truth. He was, after all, a Rabbi - and that was a very respectful term for Jewish men who taught about God.
Teaching, of course, is an important part of life. Every human being becomes who they are through teaching - as young children, our parents or guardians teach us how to do this and how to do that. They teach us what not to do. They teach us values and ethics. When we get to school, we have teachers, who further instil knowledge and skills during our time at school. Hopefully we go to Sunday School too, to learn about Jesus and the message of the Bible.
Jesus walked around teaching, and thankfully for us, His words are captured and we can now read them and learn from Him ourselves all these years later. Here's a question: are you still learning from Jesus' words? Do you drink in the words of His as found in the Gospels, to learn about life and living? Ultimately, it was what Jesus said that bowled people over.
Let me say this - it's common these days for people to think they know what Jesus said, because they've heard one or two slices of His teaching, and they base their opinions on those one or two sentences. Don't make that mistake. Take in all that Jesus taught - the soft and the hard stuff, and make sure you have a full picture of His teaching and ideas.
Hearing and Doing: The Path to Wisdom
Perhaps it's time for you to dig deep into the Gospels again, and really look to Him for your teaching. I think, like the people in Capernaum, we will be amazed at His teaching if we really take it in.
But remember as well, that it's no good hearing His teaching but not following it! In fact Jesus spoke about the ones who hear His teaching but don't put it into practice, how foolish that is, but hearing it and putting it into practice is wise.
Search His words, and practise His words, and you will doubtless find His teaching to be a fount of life-giving wisdom.
