Introduction

“Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” Mark 1:21-22

In the synagogue, someone would get a scroll out and find the scripture that someone requested to hear. They would then give the scroll to someone to read and then there would be an interpreter called the meturganim, to interpret what the reading meant.

The interpreter would say, ‘Well Rabbi Hillel says this about this passage’ and ‘Rabbi Shammai says that about this passage’.

In other words, they would choose the interpretation which suited their own individual needs, they would choose their favourite Rabbi. The interpreter would never come down on any side but leave the people to choose for themselves what the scripture meant.

The reason everyone was ‘amazed’ at Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue is not only because He chose which scripture to read, but He knew exactly where it was because remember there was no book chapter and verse as we have today.

But what also made His teaching so amazing was because He read it Himself and didn’t need anyone to interpret the Scripture or the meaning of the Scripture for Him.

He wouldn’t say, ‘Oh Rabbi Hillel says this’ or ‘Rabbi Shammai says that’. He not only read it but told them what it meant. That’s why they were amazed because He spoke with authority.

When we hear sermons today, are we amazed? TV, radio, it all feels good, it’s all about money, you never hear words like ‘sin’ ‘repent’ or ‘hell’.

Ask yourself when was the last time those words being used on Sunday morning where you meet? Are our sermons amazing in that they are spoken with authority?

Examples Of Jesus’ Radical Teaching

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” Matthews 5:43-44

Love our enemies, pray for our enemies. You try getting a Jew to love a Greek! You try getting a Samaritan to love a Jew!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13

What’s new about this love Jesus speaks of is that we are to love others as Jesus loves us. It’s sacrificial love.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:15

In a world where women were second-class citizens, this is a radical new way to love.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Matthew 5:38-42

Eye for eye etc. was never literal. The punishment should fit the crime. If someone stole a donkey from you, you should receive a donkey back, something of the same value as a donkey. Love our enemies, pray for our enemies and now help our enemies.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-11

Love our enemies, pray for our enemies, help our enemies and rejoice when they persecute you. These stinking, unclean Roman bullies, never! the Jews would shout. There’s no, ‘no blame no claim’ here! No, ‘Have you had an accident in the last five years which wasn’t your fault’!

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:18-20

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12

Become a Christian and your life will be great and everyone will love you! You’ll have no more trials or difficult times! Jesus and Paul both say when you follow Him you should expect persecution but you’re not alone in your suffering as a Christian.

“Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:25-26

‘Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Anxiety means distraction. Don’t get distracted by life, clothes, drink, food. don’t get distracted from the goal of seeking first His kingdom and righteousness. Cast all your distractions on Him because He’s not easily distracted. God will take care of your daily needs.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Jesus is the only way to God, He is the way. Politically incorrect because we’re saying all other religions are wrong.

Who do you think you are? The Jews would ask, and Jesus would say, I don’t think who I AM, ‘I AM.’ John 8:48-59.

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:41-46

Serve the poor or go to hell. Everyone these days thinks it’s the big things which make a difference in people’s lives but Jesus says it’s the small simple things that anyone can do. Feed the hungry, clothe the poor and visit the sick.

“But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here.” Acts 17:6

Paul’s teaching of the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, is said to have caused trouble all over the world.

Does our teaching cause upset? You can’t teach the Gospel without mentioning that we’re sinners and Christ died for sinners. This is highly offensive in some parts of the world.

Examples Of The Apostle’s Radical Teaching

In Acts 2:22-36 we read of Peter preaching a radical message. You killed the messiah, you murdered the author of life, you killed God in the flesh. Newspaper. Read all about it, Jesus’ apostles speak in different languages and accuse us, Jews, of killing the Messiah.

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

I’m sure they would have been expecting thunderbolts and lightning to come from heaven. God would punish them and wipe them off the face of the earth.

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39

We read here of Peter’s radical response.

We can imagine them thinking to themselves, ‘Wait a minute, Peter! We understand that we killed the Messiah and you’re talking about forgiveness!

Are you saying that God will forgive us if we repent? Think differently this is not a negative request, godly repentance always leads to blessings. Are you saying that God will forgive us if we are baptised in the very Name of the One we murdered? Baptism is the wedding ceremony.

And you’re saying that not only will we be forgiven that we’re going to receive a gift as well. The Dorea, the free gift of the Holy Spirit, God is going to give us a piece of Himself. And God has promised forgiveness and the gift to everyone? Yes, the promise is for everyone, even today.

We can almost see this in the local newspaper. Read all about it. God forgives all sinners and will reward anyone who obeys the Gospel with a free gift!

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15

We’ll never see the cross as something done for us until we see it as something done by us. What kind of message is this? It’s radical.

Jesus’ teaching is radical because it has authority and challenges us to against the grain of society in the way we live, think and conduct ourselves.

Discussion Questions