BS3A - JESUS TAUGHT THE TRUTH
More than 45 times in the New Testament Jesus is called “Teacher” or “Rabbi” by his students. And Jesus agreed that that was who He was.
John 13:13
Those who followed Him were called his disciples. A disciple is a learner and that is what we are right now as we study what Jesus taught. We are students of Jesus and eager to know what He wants to teach us.
It should be no surprise that our Father God, the Creator of heaven and earth should be the God of all truth….. indeed, the ultimate truth. Therefore, in the Old Testament, when God’s people wanted to bless someone or to swear an oath, WHO were they to appeal to?
Isaiah 65:16
The God of Truth means that He operates by certain characteristics. As you read these verses make a list of who you would expect the God of Truth to be.
Deuteronomy 32:4 / 2 Samuel 7:28 / Psalm 33:4 / Romans 3:4 / Hebrews 6:18
When God came to earth as Jesus, the source of truth (God the Father) became the personification of truth (God the Son). Notice who Jesus says that He is.
John 14:6
We don’t think of “truth” as a person but that is exactly what Jesus is saying -- He IS – “the truth”. We can know the truth when we study the life of Jesus. Truth is one of the major concepts of John’s gospel.
John 1:9, 14
Jesus came into the world to bear witness to His Father who is truth. What did Jesus say about anyone who loves the truth?
John 18:37
To this Pilate asked a scornful question.
John 18:38a
That question “What is truth” echoes today. Modern thinkers reject the ultimate truth found in God alone, meaning they also reject absolute values. That’s why we often hear people talking about “my truth” or “your truth”. Modern men and women have crafted truth to be what feels good and fits their lifestyle. How does Jesus describe those who live this way?
Matthew 7:26-27
In contrast, those who hear Christ’s words and act upon them will have a strong and steady base to build their lives upon.
Matthew 7:24-25
Only chaos and evil results when everyone invents their own truth.
Jesus is telling us that in knowing Him we can know the truth. Truth is absolute and objective but it’s also personal and knowable. And because truth is the person of Jesus, what can He do for us?
John 8:32
Now because Jesus is “the truth”, He also is the teacher of truth. And since we are His students, we will want to listen carefully to not only His words but also observe what he does. For Jesus was all about demonstrating truth. His teaching will challenge us as it did for this man.
Luke 18:22
Often following Jesus and doing what He would do will seem impossible. That’s why Jesus gives us His own Spirit to dwell within us. This is the way that Jesus “partners” with us as we live our lives. WHAT does His Spirit do within us?
John 16:13-15
He (the Holy Spirit) will teach us how to speak the truth in love and thus to grow in becoming like Jesus. We won’t have to do this alone.
Ephesian 4:15
So, let’s begin as His students to sit at Christ’s feet and learn from Him for He is gentle and lowly in heart and we’ll be able to find rest for our souls.
Matthew 11:29
Next Study: BS3B- The Kingdom of God is the Key to Finding Our Purpose