Take Heart

The teaching of Jesus was unique in the authority that He displayed as he related the Word of God to His listeners.  Matthew 7:29 describes this truth, “For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”  The mode of Jesus’ teaching was adaptable, as He taught a wide variety of audiences.  He also taught His disciples deeper truths than He did the masses, as Matthew 13:11 speaks, “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”  Jesus employed several instructional devices in His teaching, such as rhetoric, logic, repetition, illustrations, poetic forms and parables.  The Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5, 6 & 7, is an excellent example of Jesus’ instruction and use of some of these various techniques.

The context of Jesus’ teaching included training on the reality of Holy Trinity, although the term Trinity is not used in scripture, Its truth is implied.  Jesus illustrates God as Creator, as He explains His providential care (Matthew 10:29-31).  Jesus describes God as Supreme in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”    

Of Himself, Jesus taught throughout the gospels of the truth of the Hypostatic Union of His personage.  As the Son of God and the Son of man, He is able to intercede for us being fully holy as God and fully tempted as man.  Jesus shows our filial relationship with Himself in Romans 11:16, “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy, so are the branches.”  Jesus’ function as the spotless Lamb of God spoke of His propitiation for our sins and His death by Divine necessity as He bridges the gap between God and ourselves.  His death was voluntary, as an offering and a triumph over sin, death and the enemy (John 15:13).

Jesus taught of the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, who was to come in His stead (John 15:26).  The Holy Spirit, as our Paraclete will come along side us as John 14:26 declares, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”  The title, “Paraclete” comes from the same root as the word parallel; He “comes along side us.”  The disciples received the Holy Spirit in John 20:22, “And when He had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”

These truths of God’s aspects and character are important in understanding Him in the right way.  In comprehending God the Father, as infallible, all-powerful and all-loving, we are then able to rest in His love and sovereignty.  When we see Jesus as our Intercessor, Brother and Savior, we are able to come to Him for salvation and trust Him for eternity.  When we hold the Holy Spirit as our empowerment, Comfort and life line, we are able to confidently live this life that we are called to.  If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, please know that He is reaching out across eternity for you today.  Trust Him; he has your best interest at heart.  If you are a Christian and feel worn down by the fight, remember that the Holy Spirit is there as our empowerment, call out to God in your distress.  Even when it seems that He doesn’t hear us, He does.  Sometimes in His silence, He is building our faith.  He is always working in the diverse situations in our lives.  Take heart, God loves you and is in control!