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Kingdom of God - Holy Cross Cycle - Teaching

The boy Christ teaches in the Temple

Please make sure that you have read the "Kingdom of God" page first.

Setting the Scene

Of course Christ is not exceptional in being a religious teacher.  This is so utterly normal in the history of religions that it could pass us by without any special reference; except that Christians do claim for the Saviour something much more than this, more even than the content of his teaching.

When Jesus started his ministry by teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum, this was the crowd's reaction:-

"And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."  (Mark 1:22 NKJV)

Christ taught authoritatively as one from God.  This is not, as yet, a perception that he IS God ... that will come later; but for now, and certainly in the understanding of most who heard him, this man was from God.  What lent credibility to his words was their wisdom, applicability and their authentication by his deeds.  He didn't just talk about healing ... he healed.  He didn't just quote Scripture he interpreted it with divine authority and in a self effacing manner presented himself and his work as the dawning of the long waited messianic Kingdom of God.  This was how he gathered his followers by speaking and doing the truth of God's infinite compassion and righteousness.

Of course, most of Jesus' teaching was in the form of parable.  Consult this excellent page from a Roman Catholic web site on the parables, their meanings and patristic commentaries:-

Parables (New Advent)

The parables taught from life as encountered by His hearers and ordinarily each had one main point elaborated by other details in the story.  What distinguishes the parables from the teachings of other religious figures is the historical and prophetic dimension.  The parable confronted the people with the Kingdom of God and His personal and communal claim on their lives.  Moreover the stories always disclosed something of the mind of Christ as Himself the Word Incarnate.  Nobody could walk away from these stories simply with a nice warm feeling.  Each story held a challenge that could only be resolved by addressing a prior question.  Speaking of Himself, Christ asked:- "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:13-20).

Practical

Have a friend choose one of the parables for you, (this removes the element of subjectivity in the choice!)

Identify the central message and other details that elaborate or explain.
Make a personal inventory or list of the challenges posed by this parable for your own life and walk with God.
If you would like to do this, (optional), share your conclusions with a trusted friend or loved one and ask for his or her comments.

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