You are viewing lesson 11 in the series “Listen To Jesus” which provides 11 lessons taking some of the great sayings of Jesus to which we should listen and pay attention.
This lesson puts together some early sayings of Jesus mostly at the beginning of his ministry. We notice that each of these sayings tells us something important and interesting about our Lord Jesus as he takes up the task of being the first to preach the gospel of salvation in his kingdom at hand (Hebrews 2:3).
Jesus said this to Joseph and Mary.
Jesus was found in the temple engaging with the teachers. They were astonished at his understanding. He was dedicated to the word of God, "strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him" (Luke 2:40). He was like that at only 12 years old —what manner of man do you think he became as he grew to 30 years old?
Jesus said this to John the Baptizer.
Jesus had no sins of which to repent and be forgiven. However, he did not count that as exempting him from baptism. Jesus wanted to begin his ministry dedicated by the baptism of John. He desired to "fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). John had called all Jews to be baptized. Jesus did not consider himself an exception.
Jesus said this to the devil.
Jesus had his life in order. His priority was to live by the word of God. He would eat bread for his body when he had answered the devil by God’s word which imparts life to the soul. Note in passing that Jesus did not deal in parts of the word while rejecting other parts. Rather he included "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
Jesus said this to the Galileans.
Jesus believed that his ministry was spoken of by the prophets. His teaching was primarily to the Jews, but not the Jews only. He did not forbid Gentiles to follow his word. He even preached in Gentile places fulfilling the prophecy, "Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great Light" (Matthew 4:15-16, Isaiah 9:1-2).
Jesus said this to Simon (Peter) and Simon’s brother Andrew.
"As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.' They immediately left their nets and followed Him..." (Mark 1:16-20). Jesus preached the gospel in a limited area but he also chose men as apostles (and later prophets and evangelists) to spread the gospel and the kingdom throughout all the world (Mark 16:15-16).
Jesus said this to the servants at the wedding banquet in Cana.
Jesus was encouraged by his mother to begin his ministry of miraculous signs. They were at a wedding banquet where the wine had run out. His mother thought Jesus should solve the problem. He was reluctant to get involved, nevertheless he did, and changed water into plenty of excellent wine. Jesus thus manifested his glory. However, he also showed that he would put aside his own preferences and take on board the concerns of others with abundant help. It was this very attitude that he carried to Calvary.
Jesus said this to Nicodemus an important Pharisee.
Jesus often taught with mysterious sayings and this is one of them. Nicodemus couldn't understand it. He knew about birth of the flesh, but not about spiritual birth. Paul later wrote of a spiritual death to sin, a burial with Christ, and a rising to walk in newness of life. "We were buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
Jesus said this to merchants in the temple.
Jesus believed the temple was a place for worship, not for making money. So he forcibly evicted the merchants and money changers. But was he authorised to do this? The temple was the Heavenly Father’s house. However, Jesus was the Heavenly Father’s Son. So of course he had authority, didn't he?. He gave them a sign. When they destroyed his temple (meaning when they killed his fleshly body) he would in three days raise it up again (John 2:19-22).
Jesus said this to the Samaritan woman.
This is another mysterious saying, but it is explained. Jesus said, at a later time, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." Then John explains, "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (John 7:37-39 NKJV).
Jesus said this in the synagogue at Nazareth.
Jesus entered the synagogue and was given the scroll of Isaiah to read. He found the portion that we call Isaiah 61:1-2, and he read it aloud. He rolled up the scroll, and gave it back. Then he sat down to teach and began by saying, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:16-30). He claimed therefore to be God’s anointed to preach the gospel, heal, and set free the oppressed. Yet there in Nazareth they tried to kill him. However, he quietly disappeared. They'd agonise for three years before they saw him put to death.
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