This lesson must begin with a reminder of Jesus' unique position as God's spokesman. The gospel of John, likely the last of the four gospels to be written, devotes significant emphasis to Jesus' role as God's spokesman. No one else spoke as God's Son. No one else had a relationship with God as the Word in the creation process (John 1:1-3). No one else produced the new creation after sin marred the original creation--only Jesus is God's source of light and life (John 1:4,5).
As evidences are evaluated, special significance must be given to Jesus' teachings and insights. While all the writers of scripture wrote by God's guidance through divine inspiration, only Jesus' had a Son's relationship with God. Remember the statement made in Hebrews 1:1,2 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
The gospel of John emphasizes the fact that Jesus declared God to be the source of all he said, taught, and did. Consider these statements from Jesus:
John 5:19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.
Focus the class on the words "can do nothing of Himself" and the thought associated with the truth. [God was Jesus' guide.]
John 5:30 I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Focus the class on the words "can do nothing on My own initiative" and the thought associated with that truth. [God determined how Jesus passed judgment.]
John 5:36 But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish--the very works that I do--testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.
Focus the class on the words "which the Father has given me to accomplish" and the thought associated with that truth. [God determined what Jesus did.]
John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Focus the class on the words "not to do My own will" and the thought associated with that truth. [What God wanted determined what Jesus did.]
John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.
Focus the class on the words "do nothing on my own initiative" and the thought associated with that truth. [God instructed Jesus in what to say.]
John 12:49,50 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me." (Read John 12:44-50 for Jesus' complete statement.)
Focus the class on the words "did not speak on My own initiative" and the thought associated with that truth. [The commands Jesus gave had their origin in God.]
John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.
Focus the class on the words "I do not speak on My own initiative" and the thought associated with that truth. [God lived in Jesus to accomplish God's objectives.]
Jesus the man had a relationship with God that no human ever had or ever will have. In what he did, said, and taught, he was totally dependent on God. Nothing in his ministry or death originated from his initiative. Everything originated from his relationship and communication with God the Father.
The way a person listens to and hears Jesus' thoughts and teachings is directly influenced by that person's understanding of Jesus' unique relationship with God. Since he is God's Son (John 1:14, divinity in human form), he provides us insight into and understanding of God.
Jesus' deeds and statements must be at the foundation of every Christian's understanding of God's will. Paul's statements, or Peter's statements, or John's statements, or another other New Testament writer's statements are not to be used to "redefine" Jesus. An understanding of Jesus must be the beginning point of understanding all New Testament teachings.
Jesus' thoughts must not be redefined or redirected by any New Testament writer. Jesus' thoughts must be the foundation understanding used to approach the thoughts of New Testament writers. No inspired writer dismissed or neglected the importance of understanding Jesus. New Testament writers stressed Jesus' importance. Jesus must be understood in the context of the people to whom he spoke and the occasion or situation. However, all Christian understandings must begin with a biblical understanding of Jesus' position and thoughts.
The texts for this lesson record the reactions of two people on the same occasion. Both Matthew and Mark record the assault of Jewish religious/political leaders on Jesus during his final week of physical life. Jesus' popularity rose to such heights among the Jewish people that these leaders made determined efforts to discredit Jesus as a teacher from God. Different groups attempted to discredit Jesus' knowledge and understanding of scripture.
Jesus was not popular with the majority of the Jewish leaders. He has perceived as a threat to their leadership positions and their religious influence.
Matthew told of a person, a lawyer, who asked Jesus what was God's greatest command. A Jewish lawyer knew scripture and was acknowledged to have expertise in Jewish religious law. This lawyer was not seeking information. He was "testing" Jesus.
A Jewish lawyer was recognized as having expertise in explaining the law of Moses. Remember that in Bible Israel there was no distinction between religious and secular law. All law was based on religious understandings and decrees. The lawyer did not seek insights. He sought to determine (expose?) Jesus' inadequacies.
Mark told of a person, a scribe, who overheard Jesus' answer. Scribes were also acknowledged experts in Jewish religious law. He heard Jesus' response and was impressed. He understood Jesus' answer reflected God's priorities. He commended Jesus for his answer. He acknowledged loving God with all one's being and one's neighbor as one's self was fundamental in God's priorities. Those commands, not sacrificial worship commands, stood as the foundation for God's priorities. Jesus was impressed with the scribe's understanding. He told the man he was not far from God's kingdom.
Lawyers were scribes. Scribes often reproduced [by hand] copies of scripture. This scribe was impressed by Jesus' answer. He recognized Jesus' answer emphasized God's priorities.
Questions from this lesson's texts:
The greatest command God has given is the command to love God with one's entire being. God's will, priorities, and concerns are one's first concern in every aspect of his or her being.
The second greatest command God has given is the command to love other people in the same manner you love yourself. This command attacks every form of selfishness. Just as it is "natural" for me to consider what is in my best interest, I allow God to develop within me a mind and perspective that "naturally" considers what is in the other person's best interest.
When Israel left Egypt as slaves and became a nation at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19,20), God revealed to them a basic understanding in the ten commandments: a healthy society reverences God and respects people. These principles were to be the cornerstone of their society, the foundation of their nation. "The Ten Commandments are the basic principles that form the cornerstone for the foundation of society" (Dr. Phil McMillion, professor of Old Testament, Harding Graduate School of Religion, The Bridge, "The Ten Commandments Today," Volume 43, Number 2, March 2002). Societies that endure and that produce healthy, responsible people are founded on reverence of God and respect for people. That is the dual emphasis in the ten commandments. If a people are to belong to God, they cannot separate these two responsibilities.
No person can reverence God and despise that which God made in His own image. See Genesis 1:27 and James 3:9,10.
Not all commandments are equal. While no commandment from God is unimportant, it is essential for God's people to follow God's priorities in their obedience. See Matthew 23:23,24.
Example: a person cannot excuse himself from reverencing God because he is thoughtful and kind toward people. Begin godliness by having a proper respect for God. Continue godliness by having a proper respect for people.
The foundation objective in one's personal study of scripture must be learning how to become the person God wants and how to live in keeping with God's priorities.
Christians who love God also love people. A "whole person" love for God cannot refuse to "love your neighbor as yourself." Godly character and integrity honors both divine expectations.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 5