One day the Pharisees came to Jesus hoping to entrap Him in a complicated discussion about priorities. The religious leaders thought, Jesus will probably misquote or show some point of weakness in His interpretation of the law and the prophet's teaching. The Sadducees and the Pharisees asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Instead of arguing about the nuances of each law, Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt. 22:36-40) Jesus knew how to boil down a complex issue into two simple commandments. Our Lord is a Master at making complicated problems easy for everyone to understand so that they may be blessed in obedience.
1. Jesus taught people core values that are at the root of every issue, problem and situation. Our Lord is always able to go straight to the heart of the core reason why people struggle to overcome their difficulties. Do not spend a lot of time debating philosophies. Just present people with Jesus Christ, His lifestyle and His truth - in Him are hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!
2. Jesus gave His disciples the ability to cut through all of the complicated jargon straight to the plain facts. It is amazing how many people fail to realize that Christ and the gospel are the keys to all of life.
3. Jesus showed people that truth is often not easily understood - especially by the sophisticated elite. The Sadducees and the Pharisees were the most educated people in all of Israel during the days when Jesus walked the earth. Yet, these learned men failed to understand the great treasures of truth when they listened to Jesus Christ teach. How sad that many of today's elitists are also blinded.
4. Jesus knew that unless people are willing to come to God with a humble heart, they will never be able to understand His truth. Highly placed people struggle to admit that they need additional help in learning the mysteries of the truth of the universe. They cringe at the idea that they must depend on someone besides their own efforts to appreciate the essentials of truth and wisdom.
5. Jesus loved to associate with common people because He knew that He would not have to break through their intellectual facades while teaching them. After Jesus resurrected to heaven it was said of His disciples, "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, people marveled at them because they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13) We all become like the people we look to for our ideals.
6. Jesus wanted to help people remove their doubts, confusions and low levels of understanding. However, He realized that many choose to learn about truth without ever knowing it in an experiential sense. Jesus said, "If you continue in my word you will know the truth. You will know (experience it in your lifestyle) the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31,32)
7. Jesus demonstrated an ability to boil the most complex problem down to a few key spiritual issues. One day the Pharisees cam to Jesus and asked, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat?" Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth - evil thoughts, slander, theft, adultery, sexual immorality, hate, envy, jealousy, lying, that is what makes him unclean." (Matt. 15:1,2,10) No one is able to make us sin. Disobedience comes from our own sinful desires and words.
8. Jesus cut the fat out of long sermons and discussions. Jesus spoke the facts. He knew that people only have a limited attention span. Consequently, Jesus spoke in a way that people would remember the essentials of truth. Jesus knew that if people wanted to learn more, they would search for it.
9. Jesus distilled millions of teachings about the law and life into simple truths that could be communicated throughout the world. Jesus did not expect His followers to have doctorate degrees to successfully preach and teach His word. The Lord wants us to communicate in a way that will have the greatest effect upon the hearers. Jesus wants His message to change the way people think, believe, behave and mature.
10. Jesus adjusted His communication to suit every audience. Brilliant people know how to scratch where it will do the most good for every audience and occasion.
11. One day Jesus pointed people in directions where they could find the maximum happiness, fulfillment and eternal rewards when He said, "If you obey my commands, your joy will be complete and so will mine!
