Don Stewart :: How Did Jesus' View His Own Teaching?

Jesus viewed the Old Testament as the authoritative Word of God. Now we consider how He looked at His own teaching.

Jesus also considered His words as binding. When He spoke, He spoke as the voice of authority. Jesus claimed complete truth for all His teaching.

1. His Words Would Never Pass Away

Jesus said that His words would remain eternally.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35).

2. The "I" Statements Of Jesus

Jesus made certain statements where He contrasted His words with those previously written and spoken by others. He put His own words on an entirely new level. We find many such statements - like the following in the Sermon on the Mount.

You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that . . . (Matthew 5:21, 22).

3. The Statements Prefaced By "Truly, Truly"

Jesus made solemn statements prefaced by the phrase "truly, truly."

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

4. Wise People Listened To His Words Foolish Ones Did Not

Jesus compared those who obeyed His words to wise men. He said those who did not pay attention to His teachings were to be compared to foolish men.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. "And everyone who hears these words of mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand" (Matthew 7:24-26).

5. He Will Be Ashamed Of Those Who Are Ashamed Of Him

Jesus words were of such high value that those who were ashamed of them, He Himself would be ashamed of these people.

For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:38).

6. Those Who Understand Jesus' Teaching Bear Fruit

In the parable of the sower, those who are fruit bearers are the ones who understand Jesus' teaching.

And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty (Matthew 13:23).

7. They Were Blessed To See And Hear Jesus

Jesus told His disciples that their eyes were blessed to see Him and their ears were blessed to hear His words.

But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it (Matthew 13:16,17).

According to Jesus, many prophets, kings, and righteous men had desired to hear the things His own disciples heard. Yet they had not heard them because Jesus did not appear at their time in history.

8. His Words Are True

Jesus considered His words were true.

At that time Jesus answered and said, "I praise you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you did hide these things from the wise and intelligent and did reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in your sight. 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 (Matthew 11:25-27).

His true words are revealed to the humble, not the arrogant.

9. All Authority Has Been Given Unto Him

The last thing that Matthew records Jesus commanding His disciples is that they should go and preach His message. Jesus claimed that all authority had been given over to Him.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

10. Eternal Life Is Dependent Upon Believing His Words

Jesus also made the monumental statement that eternal life depended upon believing His words.

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live (John 5:24,25).

11. His Teaching Had Its Origination From Above

According to Jesus, His teaching originated from heaven.

The Jews therefore were marveling, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated?" Jesus therefore answered them, and said, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. "If any one is willing to do his will, they shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself (John 7:15-17).

From the biblical evidence we discover that Jesus considered His teaching to be authoritative on whatever subject He dealt with. When He spoke, He expected people to listen and obey - because His words were the words of God. We learn the following about Jesus' view of His own words. His words would never pass away. He made certain authoritative statements where He contrasted His words with those of others. Jesus made solemn statements prefaced by, "Truly, truly." Wise men listened to His words; foolish men did not. Jesus will be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him. The ones who understand the teachings of Jesus bear fruit. The eyes of Jesus' disciples were blessed to see Him and their ears were blessed to hear His words. Jesus believed His words were true. He claimed that all authority had been given to Him. He said eternal life depended upon how one responded to His words. He said His teaching originated from heaven.

Consequently we see that Jesus viewed His teaching as absolutely authoritative on ever matter in which He spoke about.