Mark 1:22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because He taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Jesus taught with authority and deciphered the scriptures with storytelling. The parables of Jesus can be approximated as one third of His teachings. The four Gospels record about 50 parables of Jesus. Jesus did not give instructions or guidance like the Pharisees or the scribes. The teachers of the Law referred to the Mosaic Law but Jesus showed them the way of life. Jesus gave them lifestyle skills to live according to the precepts. Most of His audiences were illiterates. Only the scribes and Pharisees were literates back in those days. Hence, the common people were misled and misinformed by the educated. The teachers of law were hypocrites. Their life was contrary to their preaching. Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,…They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Mark 12:28 & 30). Jesus decoded the complicated theology into bite size palatable daily disciplines. Jesus helped the crowd to understand complicated principles by narrating a complex concept as a simplified short story (also referred to as “the parables of Jesus”).
The teaching style of Jesus was storytelling but most importantly He ‘walked the talk’. The best preaching tool that we have is to live the Word and not just talk about the Word of God. If people don’t see fruit in our lives all our preaching will go in vain. Our life must be an open book. We must never try to brush our mistakes under the carpet and paint a blemish free flamboyant portrait. Our mistakes and mess of our past that God has delivered us from can speak more profoundly than our awards and achievements.
‘Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.’— William J. Toms
Let our lives tell His story to the world:
1. Preach: Preach with authority like Jesus did. There was no podium or pulpit for Jesus, yet the preaching of Jesus was powerful and is still preaching and transforming lives till today. We don’t need a pulpit or a big crowd. Invest into the person sitting next to you at work or during lunch. “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” -Francis of Assisi. Even a smile and a gentle gesture can preach the gospel profoundly.
2. Pout: Most people sulk and pout when we only preach the Word and don’t live it, but they are warm and welcoming when we live the Word. The world does not want to hear sermons on ‘forgiveness and love’, it wants to experience ‘compassion and acceptance’ from us. We must live praiseworthy lives not leave footprints that will make people pout and brood.
3. Parables: Use real time life-stories when you talk to people. Even in casual conversations, share your mistakes that were morphed into miracles by Jesus to the world. Preach the Gospel through your life.
Become the parable.
Mark 4:2 And He told them many things in parables.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, may my story tell the world Your life-giving truth. Amen.
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