Bulletin Articles
THE DISTINGUISHED TEACHER
THE DISTINGUISHED TEACHER
Jesus is the world’s most distinguished teacher. It was not an award that men presented him, but a recognition by millions who have sat at his feet for nearly 2,000 years.
He had no classroom, except the one the moment provided. It might be a hillside, a boat, or a garden.
He received no salary, and when John’s disciples asked for his credentials he responded, “the poor have the gospel preached unto them” (Mt.11:1-6).
He set no age limit for his students. Little children were admitted as well as the aged. He had no textbook but his Father’s word. He held no college degree, yet scholars were instructed by him.
Never a teacher had such knowledge. He knew students and their needs. He knew all about the past and the future. He knew every atom of the universe. He even knew what students were thinking.
Never a teacher had such authority. When he finished class one day, his students were “amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one having authority,” and not like the other teachers (Mt.7:28-29).
Never a teacher had such incentive. There was a responsibility laid on him, which caused him to teach, even if it meant public ridicule, arrest, imprisonment, and death itself. That incentive was always student centered.
Never a teacher had such rapport with students. He was “gentle and lowly in heart” (Mt.11:28-30), and his students learned from him. He used ordinary things and events like lamps, salt shakers, sowers and reapers, losing sheep and coins, and a young boy kicking up his heels, running off and getting into trouble – things students could identify with.
He never had a class too large or too small. On student who came to fetch a pail of water was given as much attention as 5,000 hungry students in a class just before lunch. He had a night class when only one student showed up, and an early morning class when at least three students fell asleep.
His examinations were killers because each question called on the student to examine his own life withing the context of principles clearly taught in class.
Many failed, went back home, and “walked no more with him” (Jn.6:66). Even his 12 majors checked out before the end of the semester.
Yet thousands thronged to enroll, with one little fellow willing to set up in a tree just so he could see the teacher. Scholars have come and gone, and sages have philosophized about the meaning of life and the purpose of the universe, but all must agree that never a man spoke like this distinguished teacher from Galilee.
--Dr. Raymond Muncy
Remarks from Lanny: The above article was submitted by Sharon Frampton. Dr. Muncy was one of her professors in college. I highly recommend you read it! It is concise and well-written. I actually “sprinkled in” a few Scripture citations (when the Lord was actually quoted). But if you really know your Bible, you can see that nearly every sentence has a Scripture behind it! Such writing is clearly a fruit of countless years of exposure to the Scriptures. Would that we all could have such a comfort and familiarity with the Bible! So, why not make it a personal goal? “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tm.2:15).
- THE_DISTINGUISHED_ ... Raymond_Muncy.docx (14.50 kB)
