An understanding of the method of preaching employed by Jesus should assist us in our own Gospel Proclamation.
Having received baptism from John the Baptist, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. Since Jesus was in constant communion with God the Father, through prayer and fasting for forty days and nights, it was easy for him to overcome the temptations of the devil. Throughout his life Jesus kept up this communion with the Father through prayer, especially at night, culminating in the prayer at Gethsemane just before he was arrested by the soldiers. The preaching of Jesus was suffused with the power of the Spirit occasionally erupting in miracles (See Matthew 4: 23). Let us examine below a few of the methods used by Jesus in preaching the Word of God by way of proclaiming the Gospel.
Jesus Attracted People to Himself before Preaching: One day at about 4'o clock in the evening two of John Baptist's disciples followed Jesus on hearing John's testimony that he was the Lamb of God. Jesus felt that the two were looking for something and inquired of them what they wanted. They wanted to know where Jesus was staying. Instead of giving his address, Jesus lovingly invited them to go with him and see for themselves. "So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent the rest of the day with him. It was then about four in the afternoon" (John, 1: 39). One of the two disciples who left the Baptist was Andrew, Peter's brother, and the other presumably was John the Evangelist. Jesus had left Nazareth at the beginning of his public ministry and started staying at Capernaum. As a result of the impression Jesus made on them, the two disciples spent the rest of the day with him. Not only that, the two left John the Baptist permanently and became the disciples of Jesus. According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was so overwhelmed by the personality of Jesus that he brought Peter, his brother, to Jesus. Similarly, on being called by Jesus, Philip discovered in a short time that Jesus was the Messiah and announced the same to Nathaniel. Like a true leader Jesus was able to cause a ripple and and set off a chain reaction in human relationships. We have seen in a previous Post that relationships constitute the foundation of the Kingdom of God announced by Jesus.
The Apostles: According to the Synoptic Gospels, two words "follow me" were enough for the disciples to leave everything and follow Jesus (See Matthew, 4: 18-22, Mark, 2: 13-14; Luke, 5: 1-11). Jesus went out into the hills one day and prayed there to God for the whole night and called his disciples together in the morning. Out of those disciples he chose twelve and named them Apostles who were to be with him always and share his mission (See Luke, 6: 12-16). Although people were attracted to Jesus because of the signs he performed among them especially at Jerusalem on the occasion of the Passover, he was cautious about them and did not trust himself to them. This was because Jesus knew what was in everyone as regards his or her intentions and motives and how each one would react to situations arising out if one's actions.
Nicodemus and Joseph: One of the most glaring instances of people attracted to Jesus was the case of Nicodemus who went to Jesus at night as he wanted to keep it a secret, he being a member of the Jewish Council. Nicodemus correctly identified the source of Jesus' power as coming from God Himself. Seizing the opportunity, Jesus started preaching the Kingdom of God, re-birth, Holy Spirit, flesh against the Spirit etc. It is another matter that Nicodemus did not understand a thing of what Jesus said, although he was a famous teacher of Israel. (See John, 3: 1-12). Yet, a seed was sown in the heart of Nicodemus that was to grow into a full tree by the time Jesus was lifted upon the cross. Along with another secret disciple of Jesus, Joseph of Arimethea, Nicodemus did not care anymore of the opinions of other people and came forward boldly to give a decent burial to Jesus (See John, 19: 38-42).
Secrecy in Discipleship: While the Apostles were attracted to Jesus by a direct call from him, there were many disciples who wee with him on having heard him speaking or having seen him doing good. Some were secret disciples like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethea, who being public figures held back from publicity the treasure of their discipleship. It becomes clear at the burial of Jesus that their discipleship was kept as a treasure in their hearts as it was exposed at a time when nobody dared to associate themselves with Jesus. Even the Apostles were scattered except the helpless John the Evangelist at the foot of the cross. Besides, Luke reports about Joseph of Arimethea that he was a good and upright man who dissented from the action taken by the Jewish Council. He was also looking forward to the coming of the Kingdom of God (See Luke, 23: 50-51). This kind of background in the personal life of Joseph helped him to stand up for Jesus when he was abandoned by everyone. Therefore, the secrecy of his discipleship was not a matter of convenience as also that of Nicodemus who defended Jesus in his public life (See John, 7: 51). They were unlike a number of those in authority who believed in Jesus but could not bring themselves to acknowledge him for fear of being banished from the Synagogue. "For they valued their reputation with men rather than the honor which comes from God" (John, 12: 43). Even ordinary people who believed in Jesus were reluctant to confess him due to fear of the Pharisees. An example of the same may be seen in the case of the parents of the man born blind who was cured by Jesus and yet they gave an evasive answer to the Jewish authorities in order not to be thrown out of the Synagogue (See John, 9:22-23).
The Sinful Woman: However, we see simple women, some possessed and even sinful, who tasted the goodness of Jesus in his acts of compassion towards them, providing for Jesus and the Apostles out of their own resources (See Luke, 8: 1-3). An instance of a sinful woman seeking out Jesus at the Pharisee's house who invited him to eat with him is a clear case of the attraction exerted by Jesus on the despised by the so-called decent people. The doubt of the Pharisee about the genuineness of Jesus' prophetic powers betrays the reason for his invitation of Jesus to dinner. It was not an outward expression of his inner faith in Jesus, but a show of respectability the Pharisee thirsted for in society. He would have achieved his goal had Jesus protested to the sinful woman touching him and made himself respectable before the so-called decent guests invited by the Pharisee. However, Jesus took an unusual step and addressed the Pharisee poignantly ignoring the fact that he was at the table as a guest of the Pharisee. Jesus proved to the Pharisee that he could not be bought at all as he was Lord of all situations irrespective of the wanton sensibilities entertained by the Pharisee and his other guests. The only consideration for Jesus was not to offend the host pointblank and create animosity in him that would have prevented the message from reaching his heart. So Jesus addressed him very personally and said to him: "Simon, I have something to say to you". "Speak on, master", was Simon's reply. Then Jesus used one of his very favorite methods of teaching, asking for the solution of an impersonal problem. Simon gave the correct answer in an impersonal manner as did David to prophet Nathan on the question of an injustice done to a poor man. Jesus turned the table on Simon the Pharisee who was condemned by his own words while the sinful woman went away being forgiven all her sins (See Luke, 7: 36-50). (To be Contd).
Having received baptism from John the Baptist, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. Since Jesus was in constant communion with God the Father, through prayer and fasting for forty days and nights, it was easy for him to overcome the temptations of the devil. Throughout his life Jesus kept up this communion with the Father through prayer, especially at night, culminating in the prayer at Gethsemane just before he was arrested by the soldiers. The preaching of Jesus was suffused with the power of the Spirit occasionally erupting in miracles (See Matthew 4: 23). Let us examine below a few of the methods used by Jesus in preaching the Word of God by way of proclaiming the Gospel.
Jesus Attracted People to Himself before Preaching: One day at about 4'o clock in the evening two of John Baptist's disciples followed Jesus on hearing John's testimony that he was the Lamb of God. Jesus felt that the two were looking for something and inquired of them what they wanted. They wanted to know where Jesus was staying. Instead of giving his address, Jesus lovingly invited them to go with him and see for themselves. "So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent the rest of the day with him. It was then about four in the afternoon" (John, 1: 39). One of the two disciples who left the Baptist was Andrew, Peter's brother, and the other presumably was John the Evangelist. Jesus had left Nazareth at the beginning of his public ministry and started staying at Capernaum. As a result of the impression Jesus made on them, the two disciples spent the rest of the day with him. Not only that, the two left John the Baptist permanently and became the disciples of Jesus. According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was so overwhelmed by the personality of Jesus that he brought Peter, his brother, to Jesus. Similarly, on being called by Jesus, Philip discovered in a short time that Jesus was the Messiah and announced the same to Nathaniel. Like a true leader Jesus was able to cause a ripple and and set off a chain reaction in human relationships. We have seen in a previous Post that relationships constitute the foundation of the Kingdom of God announced by Jesus.
The Apostles: According to the Synoptic Gospels, two words "follow me" were enough for the disciples to leave everything and follow Jesus (See Matthew, 4: 18-22, Mark, 2: 13-14; Luke, 5: 1-11). Jesus went out into the hills one day and prayed there to God for the whole night and called his disciples together in the morning. Out of those disciples he chose twelve and named them Apostles who were to be with him always and share his mission (See Luke, 6: 12-16). Although people were attracted to Jesus because of the signs he performed among them especially at Jerusalem on the occasion of the Passover, he was cautious about them and did not trust himself to them. This was because Jesus knew what was in everyone as regards his or her intentions and motives and how each one would react to situations arising out if one's actions.
Nicodemus and Joseph: One of the most glaring instances of people attracted to Jesus was the case of Nicodemus who went to Jesus at night as he wanted to keep it a secret, he being a member of the Jewish Council. Nicodemus correctly identified the source of Jesus' power as coming from God Himself. Seizing the opportunity, Jesus started preaching the Kingdom of God, re-birth, Holy Spirit, flesh against the Spirit etc. It is another matter that Nicodemus did not understand a thing of what Jesus said, although he was a famous teacher of Israel. (See John, 3: 1-12). Yet, a seed was sown in the heart of Nicodemus that was to grow into a full tree by the time Jesus was lifted upon the cross. Along with another secret disciple of Jesus, Joseph of Arimethea, Nicodemus did not care anymore of the opinions of other people and came forward boldly to give a decent burial to Jesus (See John, 19: 38-42).
Secrecy in Discipleship: While the Apostles were attracted to Jesus by a direct call from him, there were many disciples who wee with him on having heard him speaking or having seen him doing good. Some were secret disciples like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethea, who being public figures held back from publicity the treasure of their discipleship. It becomes clear at the burial of Jesus that their discipleship was kept as a treasure in their hearts as it was exposed at a time when nobody dared to associate themselves with Jesus. Even the Apostles were scattered except the helpless John the Evangelist at the foot of the cross. Besides, Luke reports about Joseph of Arimethea that he was a good and upright man who dissented from the action taken by the Jewish Council. He was also looking forward to the coming of the Kingdom of God (See Luke, 23: 50-51). This kind of background in the personal life of Joseph helped him to stand up for Jesus when he was abandoned by everyone. Therefore, the secrecy of his discipleship was not a matter of convenience as also that of Nicodemus who defended Jesus in his public life (See John, 7: 51). They were unlike a number of those in authority who believed in Jesus but could not bring themselves to acknowledge him for fear of being banished from the Synagogue. "For they valued their reputation with men rather than the honor which comes from God" (John, 12: 43). Even ordinary people who believed in Jesus were reluctant to confess him due to fear of the Pharisees. An example of the same may be seen in the case of the parents of the man born blind who was cured by Jesus and yet they gave an evasive answer to the Jewish authorities in order not to be thrown out of the Synagogue (See John, 9:22-23).
The Sinful Woman: However, we see simple women, some possessed and even sinful, who tasted the goodness of Jesus in his acts of compassion towards them, providing for Jesus and the Apostles out of their own resources (See Luke, 8: 1-3). An instance of a sinful woman seeking out Jesus at the Pharisee's house who invited him to eat with him is a clear case of the attraction exerted by Jesus on the despised by the so-called decent people. The doubt of the Pharisee about the genuineness of Jesus' prophetic powers betrays the reason for his invitation of Jesus to dinner. It was not an outward expression of his inner faith in Jesus, but a show of respectability the Pharisee thirsted for in society. He would have achieved his goal had Jesus protested to the sinful woman touching him and made himself respectable before the so-called decent guests invited by the Pharisee. However, Jesus took an unusual step and addressed the Pharisee poignantly ignoring the fact that he was at the table as a guest of the Pharisee. Jesus proved to the Pharisee that he could not be bought at all as he was Lord of all situations irrespective of the wanton sensibilities entertained by the Pharisee and his other guests. The only consideration for Jesus was not to offend the host pointblank and create animosity in him that would have prevented the message from reaching his heart. So Jesus addressed him very personally and said to him: "Simon, I have something to say to you". "Speak on, master", was Simon's reply. Then Jesus used one of his very favorite methods of teaching, asking for the solution of an impersonal problem. Simon gave the correct answer in an impersonal manner as did David to prophet Nathan on the question of an injustice done to a poor man. Jesus turned the table on Simon the Pharisee who was condemned by his own words while the sinful woman went away being forgiven all her sins (See Luke, 7: 36-50). (To be Contd).
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