5. Jesus as the Master Teacher

(October 24-30, 2020)

Introduction:

This week's lesson will lead us into acknowledgement that the wisdom of the world foolishness, for we have a humblest teacher that reveals the true essence of life as it is in Him who had been crucified - the sure foundation of knowledge and wisdom.

Inspiration declares, "Today the truths of Scripture are to be brought before the great men of the world in order that they may choose between obedience to God's law and allegiance to the prince of evil. God sets everlasting truth before them--truth that will make them wise unto salvation, but He does not force them to accept it. If they turn from it, He leaves them to themselves, to be filled with the fruit of their own doings. {AA 241.2}... Yet God's servants are to improve every opportunity to communicate the truth to these men. Some will acknowledge their ignorance of the things of God and will take their place as humble learners at the feet of Jesus, the Master Teacher". {AA 241.3}

Memory Verse:

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {2 Cor. 4:6}

Prayer Thought:

Exemplified in the Master Teacher.--In the training of His disciples the Saviour followed the system of education established at the beginning. The Twelve first chosen, with a few others who through ministry to their needs were from time to time connected with them, formed the family of Jesus. They were with Him in the house, at the table, in the closet, in the field. They accompanied Him on His journeys, shared His trials and hardships, and, as much as in them was, entered into His work. {CG 294.3}

A. The Glory of the Father I

“Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?’” (John 14:9)

  1. The Embodiment of the glory of the Godhead

In answer to the request of Philip, "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us," Jesus said: "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works." The Lord Jesus is the embodiment of the glory of the Godhead. {ST, July 3, 1907 par. 4}

  1. The Revelation of the Godhead

In Christ Jesus is a revelation of the glory of the Godhead. All that the human agent can know of God to the saving of the soul, is the measure of the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, to which he can attain; for Christ is He who represents the Father. The most wonderful truth to be grasped by men is the truth, "Immanuel, God with us." Christ is the wisdom of God. He is the great "I Am" to the world. As we contemplate the glory of the divine character as revealed in Christ, we are led to exclaim, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" This wisdom is displayed in the love that reaches out for the recovery of lost and ruined man. {ST, July 3, 1907 par. 5}

  • Only Jesus can perfectly reveal God (Hebrews 1:2), because He is God (Hebrews 1:3):

— He is the brightness of His glory

— He is the express image of His person

— He upholds all things

— He has purged our sins

— He sits down at the right hand of God

  • Jesus revealed the glory and the character of the Father. People could see God in Him. (John 14:9).

  • Jesus is the image of God, and we are transformed to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29) so we can reveal the glory and the character of the Father to this world.

  • Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), and we’ve been made light (Matthew 5:14) to light up the world with the knowledge of His character.

  • The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we’ll reflect His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).


B. The Glory of the Father II

“Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?’” (John 14:9)

  1. A Mysterious Power that can Only be Spiritually Discerned

Charged with his exalted mission, Jesus came into the world as the visible representative of the invisible God. He said to Philip: "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? . . . From henceforth ye know him and have seen him." "I and my Father are one." What height, and depth, and breadth of meaning in the Saviour's words! They are clothed with a mysterious power that can only be spiritually discerned. {ST, November 21, 1892 par. 9}

  1. True Knowledge of God

"Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. . . . {MH 419.7}

"Lord, show us the Father," said Philip, "and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works." John 14:1-10. {MH 420.1}

The disciples did not yet understand Christ's words concerning His relation to God. Much of His teaching was still dark to them. Christ desired them to have a clearer, more distinct knowledge of God. {MH 420.2}

"These things have I spoken unto you in parables," He said; "but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in parables, but I shall show you plainly of the Father." John 16:25, margin. {MH 420.3}

C. The Example

“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15)

  1. A Perfect Example

Though others may pursue a course toward you that appears to you as wrong, just remember they are not following the example of Jesus, and look away from their defections to the perfection of Christ, your example. He did not sin, neither was guile found in His mouth because there was no guile in His heart. The sentiments cherished in the soul will find their way to the lips. Again I say, Your only safety is in looking constantly to Jesus. The discouragements which you have suffered in the past from others, will be repeated. {20MR 78.1}

  1. The Model Teacher

The Lord Jesus is the model teacher, and he has given to the world the Old and New Testaments as a text-book. He who created our world, the Father and King of the heavenly world, knows just how to instruct the human family.

Let's consider these points:

  • Paul masterfully described the character of Jesus and how we should imitate Him in Philippians 2:3-11.

— Humble (see Matthew 11:29; Isaiah 66:2).

— Obedient (see Luke 22:42; Matthew 7:21).

— Obliging (see Mark 10:56; 3 John 1:5).

  • God’s great work of education and salvation is accomplished, not by exalting ourselves but by humbling ourselves before God, obeying Him, and becoming servants to others.

D. The Reconciler

“that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

  1. Reconciliation to the Father through Jesus Christ

In true contrition for sin, come to the foot of the cross, and there leave your burdens; come exercising repentance toward God because you have broken his law, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ to pardon your transgressions and reconcile you to the Father. Believe what God says; take his promises to your heart. {ST, June 26, 1884 par. 3}

  1. The Cross Brings Reconciliation

Paul's manner of life while among the Galatians was such that he could afterward say, "I beseech you, be as I am." His lips had been touched with a live coal from off the altar, and he was enabled to rise above bodily infirmities, and to present Jesus as the sinner's only hope. Those who heard him knew that he had been with Jesus. Endued with power from on high, he was able to compare spiritual things with spiritual, and to tear down the strongholds of Satan. Hearts were broken by this presentation of the love of God, as revealed in the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, and many were led to inquire, What must I do to be saved? ... The cross brings us near to God, reconciling us to Him. With the relenting compassion of a father's love, Jehovah looks upon the suffering that His Son endured in order to save the race from eternal death, and accepts us in the Beloved. {SD 344.3}

Note the following:

  • Sin created a breach between God and humankind.

  • We cannot close this breach by ourselves. What is more, the sin in us prevents us from truly desiring to close it.

  • God took the first step. He gave His Son to reconcile us with Him. He also puts the desire to repent in our hearts (Romans 2:4).

  • Jesus is the Creator and sustainer of life, and He redeemed us at the cross. He forgives our sins and reconciles us with God. He also makes us part of His redeeming work in our social spheres (Colossians 1:15-20).

E. Worthy of Worship

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)

  1. True God as the Only Object Worthy of Worship

The people listened to the words of Paul with manifest impatience. Their superstition and enthusiasm had been so great in regard to the apostles that they were loth to acknowledge their error, and have their expectations and purposes thwarted. Notwithstanding the apostles positively denied the divinity attributed to them by the heathen, and Paul made a masterly effort to direct their minds to the true God as the only object worthy of worship, it was still most difficult to turn them from their purpose. {3SP 364.1}

  1. Worthy, Worthy is the Lamb

When he had finished preferring his requests, the Father gave the command, "Let all the angels of God worship him," Then the song of joy and love swells through the heavenly courts, "Worthy, worthy, worthy, is the Lamb that was slain, and lives again, a triumphant conqueror." And this same Jesus, whom unnumbered hosts of angels delight to adore, is coming again to fulfill his promise and receive those who love him unto himself. Have we not great reason to rejoice? "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." The consummation of our hope is at hand; the faithful will soon enter into the joy of their Lord. {ST, January 27, 1888 par. 6}

Let's see some points below:

  • Humanity has been encouraged to worship Jesus since He became man. A group of angels in the shape of a bright star came to announce the coming of the Savior, Messiah, and King of kings.

  • The shepherds ran to the manger as soon as they heard the news. They understood that the newborn was the Savior, so they worshipped Him and shared the news (Luke 2:8-20).

  • The wise men from the East understood that the angel star was a fulfillment of the prophecies that foretold the coming of the Savior. They got ready to meet Him, then travelled to the manger to worship Him and give Him presents (Matthew 2:1-12).

  • Like them, we are also called to worship Christ (Revelation 5:13).






From the Pen of Inspiration:

“The work of God’s dear Son in undertaking to link the created with the Uncreated, the finite with the Infinite, in His own divine person, is a subject that may well employ our thoughts for a lifetime. This work of Christ was to confirm the beings of other worlds in their innocency and loyalty, as well as to save the lost and perishing of this world. He opened a way for the disobedient to return to their allegiance to God, while by the same act He placed a safeguard around those who were already pure, that they might not become polluted.” {MYP 253}