THE GREAT TEACHER
=Literature.=--The Bible; _Beecher_, Life of Christ; _Hanna_, Our Lord's
Life on Earth; _Geikie_, Life of Christ; _Azarias_, Philosophy of
Literature; _Fouard_, Life of Christ.
=Life and Character.=--Christ was born in Bethlehem, spent his early
life at Nazareth, entered upon his ministry when thirty years of age,
continued it for three years, and was then crucified by the Romans at
the instigation of the Jews. These are simple facts of history
corroborated by both sacred and profane writings. All agree that his was
the most noble character that ever appeared on earth. The most careful
study of his life for nineteen centuries, by friends and enemies, by
scholars and critics, by philosophers and statesmen, by Christians and
unbelievers, only adds to its luster, and sustains the conviction that,
though he was a man, he was also more than man. The most critical
research, the most careful examination of his life, his motives, his
teachings, only compel the testimony that he was "without spot or
blemish." The great have studied his sayings and his life, and have
bowed in admiration before the sublime teachings of the Son of Man. The
simple and unlettered have listened to his words of truth and been
comforted. Faith has been awakened, hope inspired, love quickened, and
man redeemed by the power of the Christ. Millions have been influenced
by the sweetness and purity of his life. The spirit of Christianity has
led to the founding of hospitals, asylums, and institutions of mercy
everywhere; to the establishment of schools and colleges; to the
universal spread of education; to the uplifting of the individual; to
the furtherance of human brotherhood; and to the fostering of peace
among men and nations.
Christ produced a profound impression alike upon the great and the
small. Rousseau says of him, "The life and death of Jesus Christ are
those of a god." Napoleon says of Christ, "His birth and the story of
his life; the profoundness of his doctrine, which overturns all
difficulties, and is their most complete solution; his gospel; the
singularity of his mysterious being; his appearance, his empire, his
progress through all centuries and kingdoms,--all this is to me a
prodigy, an unfathomable mystery. I defy you to cite another life like
that of Christ." It has well been said that "Christ is the God who is
man, and the man who is God."
Nor was the impression upon the lowly less profound. He called ignorant
fishermen to discipleship, and by three years' contact and instruction
prepared them to "go into the world and teach all nations." The
inspiration of his life and teachings made them able to stand before
kings, and to "confound the wisdom of the wise."
=His Work as a Teacher.=--But the question here is not concerning Christ
as the founder of a religion, nor of his divine character or life, but
of Christ as a _teacher_. He is justly entitled to be called "The Great
Teacher." Karl Schmidt says, "By his doctrines and through his
deeds,--in and with his entire life,--is Christ the teacher and educator
of humanity." His method is the foundation of all true teaching. Let us
note some of the important characteristics of this method.
1. _It was suited to his hearers._--When Christ taught the people he
used material that they could comprehend. Thus, when he spoke his
parable of the sower, while he sat by the seaside, the multitude before
him had gathered from the villages and farms of the country round about.
They therefore could thoroughly appreciate the lesson. His parable of
the vineyard was doubtless suggested by the vine-clad hills of Judea,
and the lessons taught were made more forcible by their suitableness. In
his conversation with the learned Nicodemus he plunged at once into the
most profound doctrines, but when he talked with the ignorant Samaritan
woman, his approach to the truth he would teach was most simple and
gradual. No one ever failed to understand him, and he is a most
remarkable example of the teacher suiting himself to the capacity of his
pupils.
2. _It was full of illustrations._--When he wished to teach the evil of
covetousness he told of the rich man and his barns; he encouraged
faithfulness by the parable of the talents; he stimulated to fruit
bearing by the story of the fig tree; he taught mercy by the account of
the Good Samaritan; joy over repentance was illustrated by the story of
the ninety and nine. And so we find that by ample and suitable
illustration the Savior enforced the sublime truths that he taught.
3. _It was simple and yet logical._--There was no effort to be
philosophical, yet the teachings of Christ are full of philosophy. The
language used and the manner of putting the truth were so simple that
the ignorant man and the child were never left in doubt as to his
meaning. Nevertheless his teaching was not haphazard; it was connected
and logical. It contained so much of truth, so systematically put and so
much to the point in view, that, while it appealed at once to the
understanding of his hearers, it also furnished material for thought
for the most learned of all ages. Whether it was a parable or a story,
an admonition or a rebuke, a sermon or a prayer, a word of comfort to
the sisters of Bethany or an argument with the chief priests, a familiar
conversation with his disciples or a stern rebuke of the scribes and
Pharisees,--Christ always expressed himself with simplicity and
clearness.
4. _It drew from Nature._--Christ loved to walk in the fields with his
disciples and draw lessons from the plants, the birds, the sowing of the
farmer, the gathering of fruit from the vineyard, the ripening harvests,
and the whispering breezes. "Consider the lilies of the field how they
grow;" "behold the fowls of the air;" "a sower went forth to sow;" "a
certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and
sought fruit thereon and found none;" "lift up your eyes and look on the
fields; for they are white already to harvest;" "the wind bloweth where
it listeth,"--these and many other texts show that Christ was familiar
with Nature, and loved to call upon her for illustration and example.
5. _It elevated the truth and sought to enforce it._--Christ gave
himself a sacrifice for the truth. He allowed no thought of personal
safety or success to overshadow the truth. All his words, his acts, his
teachings, aimed at establishing the truth. He overthrew old systems and
introduced a new spirit into the world, even the spirit of truth. He was
the very essence of truth, declaring to Thomas, "I am the way, the
truth, and the life." He thus gave to teachers for all time a noble
example and an immortal principle, vital to their success in true
teaching. It is the _truth_ that must be taught and practiced by every
one worthy of the name of teacher.
6. _It was earnest and full of sympathy._--The earnestness of Christ
aroused the populace to shout "Hosanna!" and provoked the bitter
hostility of his enemies. It drew multitudes into the wilderness and
attracted crowds wherever he went. His sympathy went out to the people
as "sheep having no shepherd." It led him to feed the multitude, heal
the sick, raise the dead, take little children in his arms and bless
them, and weep over Jerusalem. He came close to the lives and hearts of
those whom he instructed. This is one of the grandest lessons that the
Great Teacher left for teachers of all time.
These are some of the chief characteristics of Christ's spirit and
method. He loved little children, and taught his disciples, when he had
set a little child in the midst of them, "Whosoever, therefore, shall
humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom
of heaven." Every one of the principles above stated is essential to the
teacher, and these principles contain the sum and substance of all true
pedagogy. Well has Karl Schmidt expressed the truth, when he says,
"Christ, the perfect teacher, gave by his example and by his own
teaching the eternal principles of pedagogy."