Buried within the
pages of Scripture are the teachings of Jesus, covering a multitude of subjects,
that are applicable today. To better reflect Jesus, we need to sit at His feet,
as Mary did (Luke 10:39) and glean from the Teacher. I believe His greatest
teaching was the Good News that man would be reconciled back to God, through
His death and Resurrection, and His promise to come again.
Because of the Fall (Genesis 3:1-24), God sent His only begotten
Son to be the sacrificial Lamb who would atone for man’s sin and reconcile Him
to God. It is no wonder Jesus dedicated His ministry and teachings to share the
Good News (Mark 1:14-15). He had a love for the lost and admonished people to
repent of their sins (Matthew 4:17). Early in His ministry he began His ethical
training, better known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29), to anyone
who claimed Jesus as their King. The first portion of the Sermon, the
Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), provide wisdom and guidance for our everyday
lives. Compatible with Jesus’ teaching style, the Beatitudes are in
parable-like form. Another meaningful teaching parable, so pertinent today, is the
Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-21. Jesus’ message about restoring a rebellious
son brandishes His affection for the lost. This love Jesus demonstrated for
sinners fueled the fire for His rejection by the Pharisees (Luke 15:2). They had
no tolerance for these unworthy souls, because they erroneously believed that good
works warranted God’s favor (Matthew 23:5). The Apostle Paul would remind us
otherwise in Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV), “For by grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest
anyone should boast.” Jesus’ teachings are paramount to me as a parent and a disciple.
As a follower of Christ, I am a work in progress and strive to manifest each
day the godly principles taught by my Lord. My family will attest that I am not
shy when sharing my faith and often will engage those I encounter. I have met mothers
of prodigals and understand their agony over that part of their flesh who has
wandered away. The parable of the prodigal provides hope knowing that Christ’s
pain for their son or daughter is greater and rest can be found knowing He will
lovingly receive and restore these children when they return from the pigpen. The
wisdom one can glean from Jesus’ teachings is timeless. With the moral decay
eating away at our society, hope can be found at the foot of the cross.
In the final hours before His crucifixion Jesus prayed (Luke
22:42). He knew the time was near for Him to “drink” the cup of wrath and
judgment of God. In His Father’s loving way, He sent Jesus an angel to
strengthen Him (Luke 22:43). With fabricated charges, not deserving of death, Pilate
planned to punish and release Jesus (Luke 23:13-22). However, the crowd demanded
He be crucified (Luke 23:23-24) and so it was. It is interesting to note what
Jesus said about His death, as recorded in John 10:18 (NLT), “No one can take
my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it
down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father
has commanded.” He came to finish the work of His Father’s plan of redemption. Upon
arriving at Calvary (Luke 23:33 NKJV), which means “Place of a Skull” (Matthew
27:33 NKJV), Jesus was crucified between two criminals after being beaten and
scourged beyond recognition as prophesied in Isaiah 52:14. How fitting at His
moment of death for Him to exhibit an unfailing love as He asked His Father to
forgive His executioners (Luke 23:34). Three days later He rose (Luke 24:6-7) so
we could claim victory over death. His shed blood was our ransom and though our
“sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV).
While I did not bear witness, the Resurrection has made a permanent mark on me as
my sins are paid in full. Still, the image of His horrific death brings me to
tears. Realizing what His death on the cross means to me further drives my
desperation to share the Gospel. We should all have a desire to proclaim His
sacrificial love to minister to our lost and dying world. Daily, I am reminded
how our society falls short of His glory (Romans 3:23), yet live with His
undying promise of spending eternity with Him.
As Christians we anticipate our Lord’s return. The appointed
time, predicted but unexpected (Matthew 24:44) like a thief in the night (2
Peter 3:10), will be commanding of everyone’s attention. Before His death,
Jesus spoke of His return and forewarned us not to be deceived by false
prophets (Matthew 24:4-5). As I look around my world today, I can attest to the
signs He painted that would foreshadow His return. On the news we hear of wars,
nations rising against nations, and an increase in lawlessness (Matthew 24:6-12).
As society continues to turn its back on God’s ideologies my heart breaks. With
the stage being set for the trumpets to sound (Matthew 24:31) I remain vigilant
to share His Good News and return.
God’s love for humanity surpasses mankind’s fall into sin and
reconciles us to God. Jesus, our Redeemer, should be our example of how to
live. There is no greater love than to teach us how to live in a fallen world,
to die on a cross and to be raised from the dead, just to restore our fellowship
to God and return for His children.
