7 - The Fascinating Teachings of Jesus

A drunken young man grabbed his machete and swaggered through the village.
“I am the bravest and the toughest in the whole province!” he boasted. A father
slipped out of his house to pick up his daughter to bring her to safety.
Immediately the drunken man turned on him and attacked. Brutally he swung his
machete until the father lay dead and so did the daughter. The wife, screaming
for help, was also attacked. When the young man finally left it appeared that
everyone in the family had been killed.

Amazingly, the mother survived. Her grief was incredibly intense as she faced life
alone. The police caught the murderer and sent him to prison. Hatred raged in
the lonely mother’s heart. She wished for the murderer to suffer and be killed.
Like the terrible scars on her body, there were scars deep on her soul.

Suddenly some words rang through her mind: “Love your enemies, bless those
who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully
use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44-45).

These were the words of Jesus. She had heard some of His teachings. She knew
Jesus had lived around 2000 years ago in the country of Israel and that His
teachings had helped many people. But these words hit her like a slap across the
face. How could anyone pray for and do good for their enemies, let alone love
them?

For many days those words went through her mind. She thought of the stories
she’d heard about this teacher Jesus and the way He helped the poor, the sick,
and even those who were against Him. Finally she cried out to the Father of Life,
“I don’t like living with this bitterness and hatred. Change my heart. Help me
care for this wicked man.”

Eventually she visited the criminal in prison. She was surprised to find his heart
filled with remorse for what he had senselessly done under the influence of
alcohol. Frequently the lady came and taught him the teachings of Jesus. Years
later the man was released from prison. He went from village to village trying to

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 find work and a place to live. No one would receive him because of his criminal
record.

When the lady heard about it, as incredible as it seems, she asked him to live with
her. He became like a son to her, devoted to helping make her life happier.

The grief-stricken mother found that the teachings of Jesus had the perfect
wisdom to solve her problems. She experienced a new power for change as she
followed His counsel. Today, around the world, you can find the teachings of
Jesus in over 2000 languages. Many people have found, “There is wisdom and
power in Jesus’ teaching.”

Let’s explore what Jesus taught to see its relevance for our lives and to discover
just what kind of a person He was.

Teaching for Harmonious Relationships

Our lives are full of relationships. From the moment we wake up until the moment
we fall asleep we are talking, listening, doing, and thinking in relation to people:
parent and child, sister and brother, boss and employee, customers, neighbors,
friends, and enemies. Because relationships are such a big part of our lives, Jesus
focused much of His teaching on principles for harmonious and peaceful
relationships.

One of the greatest challenges we have is what to do with our enemies. Few of us
face the heart-wrenching pain that the mother in the story did, but we often meet
people who frustrate us terribly. What should we do when a co-worker undermines
our work, or a previous friend spreads rumors about us? Some people rage and
take revenge. Some people do nothing, but seethe with anger inside.

Jesus taught the people a better way, a special way to destroy ones enemy. He
said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. Whoever slaps you in your right cheek,
turn the other to him also” (Matthew 6:38-39).

Our natural response to being hurt, is to hurt back. This never solves the problem.
Someone once said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” leads to a blind and
toothless world. Jesus told people to not seek revenge, to not fight back at all. He
went even farther than nonviolence and said, “If anyone wants to sue you and take
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 away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one
mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:40-41).

The Jewish people listening to Jesus were surprised to hear Him say such a radical
thing. At that time in history, they were under the rule of the Romans. They hated
it. A Roman soldier could legally force them to carry his heavy bags for a mile.
Struggling along, the carrier would carefully count the distance and bitterly throw
down their load, making sure they didn’t go an extra inch. Can you imagine the
soldier’s surprise, when someone cheerfully followed Jesus’ counsel and kept
going, hauling the bags an extra mile? Kindness was Jesus’ way of getting rid of
one’s enemies.

Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who
hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew
5:44-45). His plan was clear—don’t strike back, step out in kindness, and do
something good for your enemy. As impossible as His teaching seems, think for a
moment just what might happen if we all started doing this every time someone
was unkind to us. What a joy it would be to live around people like that! “There
is wisdom and power in Jesus’ teaching.” Why not try returning kindness next
time someone hurts you.

Teachings to Guide our Daily Choices

Once Jesus summarized His teachings in a few words: “Whatever you want men to
do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). Isn’t that a good plan? Some call it
the golden rule. Be generous and generosity will come back to you. Be patient and
people will be more patient with you. Be friendly and you will have more friends.
When you’re about to take advantage of someone to make a financial profit, stop
and think, “Would I want them to do that to me?” Jesus’ plan is simple and
powerful. Let’s try it in all our relationships and see what peace and happiness
results.

Jesus especially had a heart for the poor. Though He lived a life of simplicity,
without possessions, and without a home, He often found ways to give to those
who struggled with poverty. He’d share some of His food with them. He’d give
them some wise counsel on finances. He’d encourage their hearts to trust the
Father of Life’s power to help them.

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 One day Jesus told a fascinating story, He said, “A certain man went down from
Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing and
wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by coincidence a certain
priest came down that way and seeing him, he passed by on the opposite side. And
in the same way a Levite, also being at the place, coming and seeing him, he
passed on the opposite side. But a certain traveling Samaritan came upon him, and
seeing him, he was filled with pity. And coming near, he bound up his wounds,
pouring on oil and wine, and set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn,
and took care of him. And going on the next day, he took out two denarii and gave
them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him. And whatever more you
spend, when I come again I will repay you. Then which of these three, do you
think, was neighbor to him who fell among the robbers? And he said, The one
doing the deed of mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise” (Luke
11:30-37).

Why didn’t the priest, the religious teacher help him? Perhaps he was afraid the
man would die. According to the priest’s religious laws, touching a corpse would
prevent him from doing a religious ceremony. That was more important to him
than showing compassion.

The Levite even stopped to look, but refused to help. His sin was not that he
attacked like a thief, but that he simply didn’t help when he could.

But the Samaritan was different. Even though the Jews had often showed
prejudice against his people, he chose to help this man in need. Not only did he
carry him to safety, but he paid the extra to make sure the injured man received
the best care.

Through this story Jesus taught the people that we must treat others with
compassion, doing for them what we wish they would do for us. Try writing this
golden rule on a piece of paper. Carry it with you and read it before making any
decision. Truly if we will follow His counsel, we’ll see, “There is wisdom and
power in Jesus’ teaching.”

Example Teaches Louder than Words

The Bible says, “The people were astonished at His teaching and some said, ‘No
one ever spoke like this Man’ ” (John 7:46). Why were they so affected by His
teaching? They saw that He lived out what He taught. Jesus lived in simplicity.
He cared for the poor. His life was pure from greed and anger. They could see
compassion in His actions and His very face.

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 Children were drawn to Jesus as He picked a flower, gave it to one of them, and
taught lessons from nature. Young people were inspired seeing Jesus devote His
energies for good while He was still young. The elderly were encouraged by His
call back to moral teachings.

But not everybody appreciated Jesus. Many religious leaders were angry because
of His popularity. They also felt rebuked by His pure life since for many of them,
their religion was just a form without compassion.

One day, the religious leaders saw Jesus eating with a group of people they
considered bad and unworthy of their friendship. They criticized Jesus for
hanging around such people.
Jesus responded with a story, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he
loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after
that which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his
shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and
neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was
lost. I say to you that likewise joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner who repents,
more than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).

The Father of Life is eager to help each of us do what is right, even when we have
made many mistakes. He cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep, or a man
cares for his lost pet. Again and again, Jesus’ teachings gave people hope.

His words were kind, like Thai people enjoy when they caution against strong
speaking in their saying, “Split the wood with one strike.” Whether truthful or
not, such words hurt. Jesus’ words were instead like the proverb in the Bible that
says, “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the
wise promotes health” (Proverbs 12:18).

Fascinating Teaching Style

People were fascinated by the way Jesus taught. He seldom sat in a temple or a
school. He walked among the people, along the city streets, or the seashore. In
order to make His lessons very practical and helpful, Jesus would teach using the
things they could see around them so they’d never forget His point. He drew
lessons from the trees and the birds, the fishermen, and even the lady sweeping
her house.

This type of teaching was perfect because the simple could understand something
from what Jesus said, while the wise could find deeper and deeper meanings.
Some of His words seemed mysterious like, “The water that I shall give him will

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become to him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).
These unusual words made the people want to learn more.

One day, Jesus saw a man sowing seed in a field. He said, “A sower went out to
sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled
down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it
sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among
thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good
ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold” (Luke 8:5-8a).

The people began to whisper among themselves. “What does it mean? His words
always have some special purpose? What is it about?”

So Jesus helped them understand that the seed is truth, God’s special words. As it
falls on different people’s ears, people respond in different ways.

Jesus explained, “Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil
comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be
saved” (Luke 8:12). In some ways it’s like the saying, “In one ear and out the
other.” It happens often. A person hears someone say “Helping others is the best
way to live.” On the way home from work he sees a car broken down and wants to
help. Suddenly a bad feeling crashes through his thoughts, “Don’t do that, it will
be too much trouble. Someone else can do it.” On he goes while the person
struggles alone. We too must listen carefully and act on good teachings or we will
lose what’s helpful to our lives.

Jesus went on to say, “But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear,
receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in
time of temptation fall away” (verse 13). Some people are very excited when they
hear Jesus’ special teachings. They talk about it and tell everyone how good it is.
However, when something bad happens they are also quick to complain and give it
up. “I tried eating healthfully,” a woman complains, “But it never changed my high
blood pressure problems.” Unfortunately she gave up after only a few days and
didn’t patiently wait to see how the fresh vegetables and fruits would have helped
her illness. “I tried by being nice to my enemy” a man complains, but the man just
made fun of me.”

Are we willing to follow what is good and right long enough to see the positive
results?

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 Jesus added, “Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have
heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no
fruit to maturity” (verse 14). These things are some of the greatest challenges we
face when trying to follow what is right. There are so many exciting things to do
and new things to buy. There are so many responsibilities that we carry as well.
How quickly good plans and ideas get choked out.

The excitement of a new movie, a new dress quickly fades away. Even the sense of
accomplishment after a successful business transaction or job promotion does not
last that long. Yet so often people let these things fill their time and thoughts
while they neglect family, morality, and the reading of God’s word.

Jesus then spoke of one other kind of soil, “But the ones that fell on the good
ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it
and bear fruit with patience” (verse 15). Can you picture dark, fertile soil, the
kind that’s used for potting flowers and trees? Rich and full of nutrients, the
plants spring up quickly and grow luxuriantly.

We can do the same. Our lives can be full of such qualities as kindness, patience,
and self-control. Jesus showed that if we will take His teachings and hide them
deep in our hearts, they will bear quality fruit in our friendships, families, and
workplaces. In each area we will find “There is wisdom and power in Jesus’
teaching.”

Teachings for Inner Change

Have you ever picked up a beautiful piece of fruit, ready to enjoy a delicious bite,
and then found out it was rotten inside? It’s like the Thai saying, “The outside is a
brilliant ripe yellow, but the inside is hollow.” Some people are like that. They
look beautiful, but inside their heart is a mess of anger and discontent. A famous
movie star may be so sad she’s ready to commit suicide. A popular leader may be
struggling with the shame of living a double life. When we learn a person isn’t
who he appears to be, we are disappointed and disgusted. We feel like tossing such
a person aside like that piece of rotten fruit. We like people who are authentic.
We don’t like it when “People gossip while doing it themselves.”

Jesus understood the importance of integrity and honesty. His teaching was
designed to help people be good from the inside out. The religious leaders of His
time often taught people to follow many rules that they didn’t keep themselves.
They performed elaborate ceremonies while neglecting to help the poor. Jesus
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 challenged them, “You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are
full of extortion and self-indulgence….First cleanse the inside of the cup and dish,
that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 32:25-26).

If we want to be people of integrity, we must start with changing our thoughts

rather than just our actions. Many people do good deeds while thinking terrible
thoughts. Many times those thoughts lead to secret hurtful actions. Jesus taught
that thoughts are like seeds. A bramble of thistles begins with one tiny seed. In
the same way one wrong thought, brooded on, affects the feelings and leads to a
serious and harmful action.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not
murder’….But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother shall be in
danger of the judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22).

Jesus also said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not
commit adultery’….But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her
has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

Jesus sweeping challenge startled the people. Were their thoughts really that
important? Was sin not only bad actions, but also wrong thinking? As they
wrestled with Jesus’ words, they realized that every evil action does start with the
seed of a wicked thought that later comes to fruit in a moment of passion. But
how could they change their thoughts to be pure? That seemed very hard.
Sometimes people would shake their head and say, “Who can do this?” Jesus had a
positive answer for this problem as well.

Teachings about the Father of Life

Jesus said, “What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give
him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being
evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father, who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:9-
11). Jesus was confident that God’s mighty power could help people with every
challenge they faced. So Jesus told them, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek,
and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

We often say, “Even a whole flood of knowledge will not save us.” Many people
know exactly what is right and wrong but struggle to follow it. Suppose a boat full
of people is traveling up from Bangkok to visit Ayutthaya. On the way, the

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 passengers see something beautiful to the west and everyone rush to the side to
see. The boat tips, water floods in, and they all begin to sink.

Can you imagine if another boat pulled alongside and the captain began to shout
out instructions on how to swim. “Listen carefully,” he might say. “Hold your
breath and swing your arm over your head.” While he’s teaching some will have
already drowned. Of course what’s needed is a Captain and a crew that are brave
enough and care enough to throw ropes or even jump in and pull the people to
safety.

Jesus’ most vital teaching was about the Father of Life. Over and over He taught
the people about the God who views us as His own children and is willing to help
us. Jesus modeled this concern as He taught His disciples. He instructed them,
showed a positive example, and gave them encouragement. His patience with
their mistakes helped convince them that there truly was a Father of Life that
could help them with any problem.

Meditation Moment

We have just heard many special teachings. Let’s meditate on a few so we won’t
forget them and lose the benefit of following them.

 “There is wisdom and power in Jesus’ teaching.”

 “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate
you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew
5:44-45).

 “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12).

 How much more will your Father, who is in heaven give good things to those
who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11).

 Think also the story of the lady who forgave the man who murdered her
husband and daughter. How can what you have learned from Jesus help
your relationships?

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  The Samaritan man helped the wounded man, even risking his own life.
Who do you know that could use your help?

The Choice Regarding Wisdom and Power is Yours

After a powerful talk called “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus ended with this
parable. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will
liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. And the rain came down,
and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house. And it did not
fall, for it was founded on a rock. And everyone who hears these sayings of Mine
and does not do them shall be compared to a foolish man who built his house on
the sand. And the rain came down, and the floods came, and the wind blew and
beat on that house. And it fell, and great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).

Jesus’ parable reminds us of the saying, “Persevere and you will finally receive the
benefit.” If you have faced many storms of difficulty in your life, you know the
importance of making choices built on solid wisdom. If your life has been fairly
easy so far, you can be sure that at some time you will also be tested by
challenges. Choose today to build your life, your work, and your friendships on
the solid wisdom Jesus has given regarding relationships, compassion, inner
change, and the Father of Life.

Take Action: Check the things below that you will put into practice this week.

_____ I will read more of Jesus’ teachings and seek to practice them.

_____ I will forgive my enemies and do something good for them.

_____ Before I act, I will think, “How would I like to be treated if I were that person?”

_____ I will ask the Father of Life to help me to be pure from inside out, in my thoughts
and in my actions.

Prayer Power

To gain greater benefit from Jesus’ teaching, try praying this prayer:

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“Father of Life, Thank You for giving us the good teachings of Jesus. Please set me
free from hatred, anger, greed, lust, and other wrong desires. Fill me with
compassion and self-control. Help me with the challenges I face. Amen.”

God will help you live out these good choices. Be of courage. You will see that
“There is wisdom and power in Jesus’ teaching.”

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