Hear What is Taught

Read Proverbs 22

But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and began to teach. The Jews then were astonished, saying, "How has this man become learned, having never been educated?" So Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." John 7:14-18  

When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:28-29  

Jesus amazed the religious authorities and the general (Jewish) public with His teaching. His focus during the early part of His ministry was towards the Jewish people. Then later He turns to focus on the Gentiles. It was a real revelation—an awesome epiphany moment for me when we visited Caesarea Philippi at the head of the Jordan River in Israel. Jesus took His disciples away from the Jewish region of Galilee to this Gentile region of Caesarea Philippi, about a day and a half walk from the Sea of Galilee, to teach them without distractions. He wanted to see who could “hear.” He even spoke to them in Greek (a Gentile tongue)—not in Hebrew or Aramaic. Peter was the only one to “hear” the truth. Jesus is the Son of God!

Jesus gave the keys of heaven to Peter, like gifting him “salvation.” The Gates of Hell (pictured on the left) will not prevail—evil will not stand in his way. Simon in Hebrew is Shimon, meaning One Who Hears. Simon Peter was the first missionary to the Gentiles and it was here in Caesarea Philippi that Jesus commissioned him.

When we visited Caesarea Philippi, I knew that Jesus was the Son of God—but to hear it again in the place it was declared touched my spirit deeply. This was where Jesus told his disciples to reach out to Gentiles. Being a “gentile,” that means me. If it weren’t for this event, maybe I wouldn’t know Jesus like I do. 

Training Tip – Teach your children to hear. Have them put on blindfolds and then make noises with different instruments or simply create rhythms and ask them to identify the instruments or repeat the rhythms. Hearing is a very important part of teaching and learning.  

Lord Jesus, we hear You telling us that Your words are God the Father’s words. Help us to apply His Words to our lives.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.