GLEANINGS — September 22, A.D. 2013  — "The Perfect Preacher"

"...He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities..." 

The HE in that Bible passage (Luke 8:1,2)  is of course the Lord Jesus, the perfect preacher. Let's survey some of His preaching styles and methods.

We see first and foremost that Jesus ever appealed to Scripture when teaching men. The Gospels tell us that the Master Expositor used the phrase "it is written" (or an equivalent) dozens of times. Four representative instances of His reverent appeal to the Old Testament are found in Matthew 21:13, Mark 7:6, Luke 24:46, and John 6:45. 

(We do well to note that on EVERY occasion when Jesus appeals to what is written, He refers to one or more of the books of the Old Testament, and NEVER to other literature. Jesus held to a clearly defined canon of Scripture.)

He in Whose heart the written word most richly dwelled found illustrations and examples in the sacred history. He readily spoke about the exploits of some saints (Noah, David), the dealings of God's providence in the lives and ministries of others (Jonah, Zechariah), and of His own high esteem of others (Abraham, John the baptizer). 

He Who was mightier than Apollos in the Scriptures argued from them against His opposition, such as when He referred to David's words "my Lord" in the 110th Psalm. Jesus' preaching engaged His hearers. He often questioned them and encouraged them to think Biblically – for examples consider Matthew 6:29 or Luke 10:26.

Our Savior's upper room discourse and high priestly prayer (John 13-17) are quite theological, yet expressed plainly. John the apostle, who recorded that discourse and prayer, also imitated Christ. For with equal plainness and equally under the Spirit's inspiration, he wrote that profound theological essay we know as chapter one of his Gospel.

Creative and resourceful, outside or indoors, the First Paraclete and Teacher found illustrations in His immediate surroundings (flowers and birds in His sermon on the mount) or by referring to someone in the room (see Luke 7:36ff). He also used ordinary human activities such as planting and harvesting, family conflicts, or business transactions, teaching powerfully by way of parables.

No isolated hermit or out of touch, "ivory tower" expert, Christ used current events as teaching occasions. When He was told about certain worshippers whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices, He used that big news story of the day as an opportunity to exhort His hearers to repent. Then He immediately reminded them of another tragedy, the collapse of a tower which killed eighteen people, and repeated His exhortation (see Luke 13).

Stern warnings and hearty encouragements characterized the teaching of the Good Shepherd. He warned some that they were in danger of hell (Matthew 23:33), and encouraged others that they were close to the kingdom of heaven (Mark 12:34). His heart searching wisdom is seen when He probes both Judas the son of perdition and Peter the repentant apostle (Luke 22:48, John 21:15ff).

Finally, we note that as per the first passage cited above, Jesus normally labored with helpers...the twelve and certain women who followed Him. It is said that when the eminent 19th century preacher Charles H. Spurgeon proclaimed God's word, hundreds would gather in the basement of London's Metropolitan Tabernacle to pray as he preached. Like Jesus, preachers are greatly benefitted by godly companionship and prayer support.

There is one thing the Son of God did in His preaching that no other preacher should do: exalt himself. On the contrary, Christ's divine Person and saving work ever must be the heart and soul of every message of all other preachers. They are but saved sinners who are but jars of clay from which the treasure of the Gospel should pour out; servants who are to count themselves unprofitable (Luke 17:10) and whose labors should imitate His styles and methods.