“In The Steps Of The Savior”
(Matthew 11:28-30)
I. Introduction.
A. Jesus was not known so much as a “preacher,” as he was a
“teacher.” In Gospels, He is referred to as “teacher” 45
times and as “preacher” only 11 times.
1. Are seven different Greek nouns translated
“teacher” in the New Testament. Are words that
denote authority; power; leadership; guidance.
2. One of more frequently used words is
“DIDASKALOS”, which means, literally, “a
teacher.” It is often found in Gospels in reference
to Jesus. Sometimes, it is translated as “Master,”
but, in places, it is rendered as the Hebrew “Rabbi”
or the Galilean word “Rabboni” (John 20:16).
3. There is also the word “KURIOS” which means a
lord, one who exercises power.
4. But all seven words, when applied to Jesus, could
be translated as “teacher.”
B. And Jesus was not just another teacher. He was a Master
Teacher. What He taught, the way He taught, the effect His
teaching had upon those who heard Him, all set Him apart
from others who could also, rightfully, be called “teachers.”
1. The Gospel writers Matthew and Mark both make
mention of this. They tell us “people were
astonished at His doctrine (Matthew 7:28) and that,
“ . . . He taught. . .as one that had authority, and not
as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22).
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2. The divine source of His teaching was also
acknowledged when the Pharisee Nicodemus came
to Him, and began by saying: “. . . Rabbi, we know
that you are a teacher come from God: for no one
can do these signs that You do, unless God is with
him.” (John 3:2).
C. Looking at Jesus as a model teacher what can we say about
Him?
1. He taught with a purpose. His objective was clear.
He had his aim always in mind. That purpose, that
aim, was what He expressed to Zacchaeus: “ . . the
Son of man has come to seek and to save that which
was lost.” (Luke 19:10).
2. To follow in steps of Jesus is to affect lives of
people for eternity. It’s to communicate, as He did,
the Word, and Will, of God. (“. . . as My Father
taught Me, I speak these things.” John 8:28.)
3. We can also say that Jesus used a variety of
methods in His instruction. And, he taught in a
variety of circumstances, sometimes to large groups
of people, sometimes to small groups, like the
twelve Apostles, sometimes to individuals, like
Nicodemus.
D. Whatever the circumstances, whatever the method, the
effect was profound and impressive.
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1. In an essay written many years ago, here is how one
person summarized Jesus as a model and teacher:
“Nineteen long centuries have come and gone and
today He is the centerpiece of the human race and
the leader of the column of progress. I am far
within the mark when I say that all the armies that
ever marched, all the navies that ever were built;
all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings
that ever reigned, put together, have not affected
the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as
has that one solitary life.”
2. So goes the testimony regarding the greatest
individual who ever cast a shadow across earth’s
landscape. The descriptions of Jesus, His
authority, His power, His influence, are numerous.
What people who come to know Him, and believe
in Him, say about Jesus is evident. But, how did He
describe Himself?
II. A Self-Description Of Jesus.
A. Is there a self-description of Jesus in the scriptures? Did
He do so in ways other than saying He was the Son of
God?
1. Answer to those questions is “Yes.”
2. A third question would be: “Does this description
fit the common idea of greatness? Answer here is
“No.”
3. Jesus’ self-description doesn’t use the types of
superlatives we’re familiar with when we try to
characterize a popular, influential person.
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B. And Jesus does not describe His physical characteristics
that you find nowhere in the scripture, or anything else
we’ve discovered. But, in one place, He does describe the
“inner man” – and uses only a few words to do so.
1. He doesn’t say, “I am wise and powerful” –
although, He could have.
2. He doesn’t say, “I am holy and eternal” – though
He certainly was.
3. What He says is found in Matthew 11:28-30.
a. Notice the words He uses – “gentle” and
“lowly in heart.” (humble)
b. These are not majestic terms, these are no
terms of power and authority, by human
standards; but, they tell us about Jesus, and
about what attracted people, of all types, to
Him.
4. What Jesus taught was that God, the Father, wants
us to conform to the image of His Son. To do that,
we must develop these very same qualities –
gentleness of spirit and humbleness of mind.
5. These qualities will reveal themselves best in one
way – in our obedience.
a. Jesus said: “. . . I do nothing of Myself; but
as My Father taught Me, I speak these things
[already noted this verse]. And He who sent
Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me
alone, for I always do those things that
please Him.” (John 8:28-29).
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b. Jesus’ self-description was verified by His
obedience.
c. He was a great teacher because He believed
fully, and completely, what He taught, He
taught people how to live, and He practiced
and demonstrated what He taught in His
Own life.
C. We talk about giving people “quality time” - time full of
meaning as opposed to just time spent.
1. On the evening before His death, Jesus gave His
closest disciples “quality time”, to help prepare
them for what was to come and to, once again, teach
them some important truths.
2. This was an important time with their Master;
Jesus’ real last opportunity to tell these men, and
show these men, what God, and He, felt about them,
and all people, and how they needed to be to carry
on the work He was leaving for them.
3. In John 13, we see how Jesus once more verified
His self-description of “gentle” and “humble.”
D. READ John 13:2-5.
1. Here we are in 1st – century Jerusalem. Paved roads
were few. Even the streets and alleys of the city
were more like dirt trails, all covered with a thick
layer of dust. Any rain would turn them to mud.
2. Because of this, it was customary for a host to
provide a slave, or someone, at the door of his home
to wash the feet of guests as they arrived.
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3. That servant knelt with pitcher of water, a bowl, and
a towel and took care of each guest as they prepared
to enter the home. Shoes, boots, and sandals were
left at the door.
4. If the household could not afford slaves, one of the
early-arriving guests would take upon himself the
role of servant and wash the feet of those who came
after him.
5. On this particular occasion, none of disciples had
volunteered for so lowly a job.
6. Now, “. . . supper being ended . . .”, Jesus,
“. . . rose. . . laid aside His garments, took a towel,
and girded Himself.” (John 3:2;4).
E. Of all the people in the room, Jesus was, really, last one
who should have done this. But, He had no problem with
doing such a menial task. It had no effect on His self-
esteem or His view of Himself (see v. 3).
1. Jesus never said: “Men, I am now going to
demonstrate humility.” That was kind of thing a
proud Pharisee might proclaim. You never had to
wonder if one of the religious leaders of Jews was
a humble man. If you were with them long enough,
they would tell you.
2. No, Jesus very quietly, very unexpectedly took that
towel, and bowl of water, and taught a great lesson
in gentleness and humility. The lesson came with
an illustration – so the point could not be lost on the
students.
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3. The teacher then reviewed the lesson to impress it
upon his disciples: (READ vs. 13-17). He
concludes the lesson by encouraging obedience.
III. Conclusion.
A. Through God’s Word, can still, today, spend quality
time with Jesus. He still speaks to us, teaches us,
encourages us, shows us how to be “happy” (or
“blessed”) in our lives.
B. It’s obedience that brings the ultimate in happiness. That’s
a lesson we can all teach by lives we live.
C. Recall one last thing: the perfect model of obedience – the
greatest teacher – finished His earthly life on a cross.
1. Reward for obedience not always immediate, and
obedience doesn’t take away pain and suffering and
sorrow. In fact, can bring some of these things into
our lives.
2. But, as God never abandoned His son, He will
never leave us.
3. We can follow in the steps of the Savior.