457. MAT 5:1, MAT 5:2. CHRIST A TEACHER

Mat_5:1, Mat_5:2. Christ A Teacher

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set, his disciples came unto him, and he opened his mouth and taught them."’97Mat_5:1, Mat_5:2.

One great end of Christ’s coming into our world was to illuminate it with the light of life, and to show unto men the way of salvation. As such, his appearing had been predicted. Moses had said, 1400 years before, "the Lord thy God will raise unto thee a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren like unto me, unto him shall ye hearken." Thus too the apostle prefaces his epistle to the Hebrew believers, "God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake," &c., Heb_1:1, Heb_1:2. Let us then consider,

I. The Character of Jesus as a Teacher.

Now as a teacher he has been properly styled the great Teacher. Greater than the prophets. Greater and higher than the angels.

1. He possessed infinite knowledge and wisdom.

The knowledge of all created beings must be limited. His was unbounded He knew all things, nothing could be hid from him. As the creator of worlds, the universe was all as transparent light before him. He knew all the mind of God. He knew all concerning the heavenly world. He knew all concerning man’97concerning death. As such he is styled "God only wise." In him was hidden all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom. The wisest of prophets only had knowledge revealed unto them in small portions, but he had the fountain within himself.

2. He was possessed of infinite holiness and truth.

Not only was he so in essence, but in spirit, conversation, and practice. Moses was a good man, but by anger he disgraced his office, and excluded himself from the promised land. So Elijah and the whole of the prophets were fallible, erring men. But he embodied his own religion. He lived and exhibited every precept. His character was blameless. He was pure and holy, undefiled and separate from sinners. He reflected the spotless purity of the Godhead.

3. He was distinguished for unbounded goodness and love.

His errand, his whole work, was one of love. It was this that brought him to seek and to save, &c. He went about doing good. His design was to bless, to make men wise, and holy, and happy. He came to open a pathway to the heavenly world. He had nothing in his heart but pure, disinterested, and universal love. Hence when he began his work, he stated the nature of his mission. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me," &c., Luk_4:18.

4. He displayed the greatest condescension and patience.

He became the teacher both of the people and the rabbies. He stooped down to their residences, occupations, and capacities. He went to the sea-side and taught fishermen, laborers in the field, beggars on the highway. A poor Samaritan woman at the well. His discourses were always suited to the people’97plain, simple, &c. He did not upbraid. He did not exhibit any pomp. He did not break the bruised reed, &c.

5. He enforced and ratified all by divine power and authority.

He taught in his own name. He spake as one having authority, &c. He said, "I say unto you." He assumed the supremacy, and enforced all by unparalleled signs and miracles. Prodigies and wonders attended his steps. He healed the sick, cured lepers, restored the paralytic, expelled devils, awed the elements, and raised the dead. The people often were overwhelmed, and exclaimed, "What manner of man is this," &c. His promises too were more splendid, and his threatenings more terrific, than those of any other teacher. Heaven he opened to his disciples, and showed the gates of hell to obstinate unbelievers. Consider,

II. The Subjects of his Instructions.

1. His instructions were all-important.

Nothing trifling, nothing of a secondary kind. He taught great truths, relating to the soul and to eternity. His subjects were chiefly heavenly and eternal. He left nature, science, politics, and commerce, to others. He revealed the glories of the heavenly world, and showed how we might make them our own forever.

2. His instructions were chiefly practical.

He stated some few points of doctrine, out how seldom were those introduced. His truths were not ceremonial but practical. He told men how to live. How to act towards his Father, towards himself, and towards each other. He spake of the spirit we possess, the tempers we should cherish, the conversation we should cultivate, and the actions we should practise.

3. His subjects were perfect and abiding.

He introduced no temporary customs. No mutable ordinances. No local institutions. He was to be the last, and therefore the perfection, of all that teachers had revealed from God. His truths were to abide forever. So his morals’97so his worship’97so his ordinances,’97baptism, Lord’s supper, &c. Nothing deficient’97nothing misplaced’97nothing redundant in all he taught. He introduced the perfect day, and nothing shall be brighter but the light of heaven. Consider,

III. The Claims of Christ as a Teacher.

1. Profound reverence.

This a prophet would deserve’97an angel more. How much more then God’s Son,’97his equal’97his fellow; especially when we remember he is the appointed judge of quick and dead; his voice will decide the destiny of every creature.

2. Peculiar and intense attention.

Our every interest is at stake; our peace’97comfort’97life’97salvation. If we neglect him it will be our everlasting loss. On his lips hang life’97death’97heaven’97and hell.

3. The highest gratitude.

His love, his kindness, his mercy’97all claim this. Our interests he ever consulted, not his own; for us he said and suffered all things.

4. Prompt obedience.

This is the end of all. To obey him’97always’97in all things’97from the heart’97with the whole life. To know, in order to do his will.

Application

1. Address disciples.

2. Inquirers draw near.

3. Unbelievers tremble.

4. Hear Christ on all subjects and at all times.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS