The Word tells us in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." In Matthew 18:3, Jesus speaks about becoming as little children. One might wonder how a person can teach and yet be as a little child. Jesus explained many important truths in parables, and yet they always were simple. He never set out to complicate things, but aimed for effectiveness.
He was on a mission to do the will of His Father. He wanted the world to know that He was here to fix what needed to be fixed because of the fall of man. God is just and holy, and any descendant from Adam could never have his initial status, so the only solution was found quickly in Genesis 3:15 as God spoke of the seed of a woman (Jesus) who was to come to make things right.
Later God gave Moses the Ten Commandments that showed where the mark was being missed and therefore the need for a Savior made clear. Jesus explained in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me" and in Luke 24:27 it is seen that "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."
Jesus not only taught by His Word, but also by His example, empowered by the Holy Spirit. He wanted His followers to copy Him in completing what He had begun, also through His Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). He provided for all aspects of living in His gift of salvation. Romans 5:19 shows the righteousness that was made available for all who ask (Romans 10:9-10). Matthew 8:17 explains the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:5 regarding sicknesses and infirmities. Ephesians 1:3 speaks of the blessings provided.
In Luke 4:18 it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. The summary of the commandments was given in Matthew 22:37-40, as He explained loving God above all and your neighbor as yourself. This is similar to what has been known as the 'Golden Rule' in Matthew 7:12, treating others as one would want to be treated.
The master plan of God has been laid out in His Word for all to see that desire to. To know the will of God is to read what He wrote. Led by His Spirit, we act on the Word: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Thus we teach others as He has taught!
- Balliet is the Eastern Regional director of John G. Lake Ministries in Williamsport.
