Jesus Preaching• “What counts the most in life is blessed Jesus

Christ, his holy Church, his Gospel, truth and goodness.”

• Bl. Pope John XXIII

The Preaching begins

• Baptism begins his ministry– Then the 40 days in the desert

• Returns to Galilee with the Holy Spirit– Fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies– Rejection at Nazareth

• Growing out of the prophetic tradition– Called on the people to repent

Jesus as a Teacher

• Creative (parables)• Dramatic (flipping over tables at the Temple)• Performed miracles (raise the dead, heal the

sick)

An Outstanding teacher

• Genuine: lived what he preached– “the greatest love is to lay down one’s life for a

friend”• Available: taught out in the real world• Understandable: down-to-earth language– Vibrant images to aid recall– Hyperbole: cutting off the sinful hand

• Authority: Knew whereof he spoke, didn’t have to quote others

Jesus with other teachers

• Debater: Frequently challenged by Pharisees and others– Verbal traps: “Is it lawful to pay this tax?” “Which

is the greatest Commandment”– Turns it around on them

• Challenger: Don’t be a passive listener, but be changed by the teaching

God’s Grace

• We cannot earn or deserve salvation– Given by God’s grace

• Must be humble, have faith and trust in God

• “Camel through the eye of needle”– Hyperbole yes– People with money tend

to think it solves all problems

Regions of his teaching

• Galilee– Jews & Gentiles just beginning to mix– Zealots hate this

• Samaria– Jews & Gentiles long ago intermixed,

erasing distinctions

• Judea– Capital of Judaism: Jerusalem

The Teaching

• The Kingdom of God– Not of this Earth– “active presence of God’s love, justice, truth, and

Salvation”– Brought to us by Christ through the Paschal

Mystery

Parables• Short allegorical stories

– Illustrate the Kingdom using prosaic examples

• Easy to remember– Good Samaritan– Lazarus & the rich man– Prodigal Son– Sowing seeds

• Point is clear– Inform Christian life and thought