Friday, April 9, 2010

THE TEACHING SAVIOR

"And He went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto Him, and He taught them." (Mark 2:13)

THE MOST PROFOUND TEACHING of all is that of our Savior. He spoke with perfect clarity and expression. Every person living by faith places a high priority upon the words of Jesus! How appropriate that He said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63. Those who heard our blessed Lord acknowledged, "Never man spake like this Man" (John 7:46). Others "were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Matt 7:28b-29).

WE WILL FIND THIS to be particularly meaningful in the matter of being taught by God. Let us stand alert and focused when we hear the Master speak! All will thus be taught by God. In an extended discourse to the multitudes, Jesus explained why some people came to Him, and others did not. It was not because some were attracted to His manner or appearance, while others simply preferred a different kind of teacher. Christ's explanation brings us into heavenly places, where true causes are generated. "No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me" (John 6:44-45). This saying is abrasive to those who walk "in the flesh," but it is music to the ears of those who are attracted to Christ Jesus the Lord.

THE FATHER AND THE SON ARE IMMINENT in every aspect of salvation. Men do not come to Jesus because they have deciphered His words with worldly wisdom. The Father "draws" them to Jesus, much like He allured Israel into desolate areas, that He might speak comfortably to them (Hosea 2:14). Jesus is emphatic about this matter. "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (NASB). The individual may choose to reject the truth of these words, but everyone will face them in the world to come! The Father does use means to draw people. He does not mysteriously and irresistibly compel them to come to Christ. Through His grace, they are enabled to see the beauty and accessibility of His Son, and are thereby inclined to come to Him. Jesus called this hearing and learning from the Father.

IN CONFIRMATION OF THIS, our Lord cited the prophet Isaiah; "AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD."

EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY GOD. The evidence of Divine tutelage is a preference for Jesus! Drawing near to Him to appropriate salvation is a manifestation of the Father's effective teaching. That is what Jesus said! It is true that He uses the Gospel, and even circumstance – but it is the Father who teaches people to have enough sense to come to Christ! Divine drawing is accomplished in a manner altogether consonant with our moral nature. We are not coerced, or forced, to come to Christ, but effectively "taught" to do so.

THOSE WHO HAVE COME TO CHRIST, therefore, are to give God the glory! They have come to Jesus because they heard and were taught by the Father.

TEACHING THROUGH THE SON. The reality of Divine instruction is further expounded by the Lord Jesus. With a full and unmixed grasp on reality, He affirmed that no one really knows the identity the Father and the Son. Without Divine intervention, men grope for God and Christ. Because both the Father and the Son are beyond the perimeter of our senses, we cannot identify or come to them on our own.

HERE ARE THE POWERFUL WORDS OF JESUS. "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light" (Matt 11:27-30, NASB). Everyone who "knows the Son" has experienced the revelation of God. The Father has "revealed" the Son to them. Again, He has used appointed means, but the means do not obviate the involvement of the User of the means – the Living God. The Scriptures are employed, and they are powerful. Their power, however, is due to Divine influence, not human ingenuity. As it is written, the Word of God is the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph 6:17).

NOTICE, JESUS INVITES US, "Come and learn from Me!" What soul is there that would rob us of this blessing? Jesus has something to say, and it is what the Father has given Him to say (John 8:28). He is even forward to teach us, showing us the way, illuminating life, and opening the Scriptures. Thus, the promise is fulfilled, "They shall all be taught by God."

THE GENIUS OF SALVATION IS CONFIRMED by its marvelous effects. In the schools of men, students can be taught day after day, and yet remain unlearned and obtuse. But this is not the case in the school of Christ. His words are "spirit, and they are life." Therefore, to be taught by Christ results in life – spiritual life. It only remains to give your ears to Him!

– Given O. Blakely

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