Why Jesus Teachings Were Considered Radical - Religion Essay Sample

Jesus Christ was a Jew in every way as a man just like any other Rabbi of his time, and there were a lot of his teachings that were parallel with that of other teachers, a good example is his teaching about forgiveness in Mathew 18: 21-35. He taught that one should forgive to be forgiven which is also in the earlier Jewish writings. Jesus teachings were in one way disagreeing with one rabbi's and approved another rabbi's teaching; this is evident in his teaching about divorce whereby he supported Shammais teachings while disagreeing with that of Hillel (Ferguson & Duncan 12).

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Learning that Jesus teachings were already taught by someone else at some point seems to undermine his exceptionality but still had something in his teachings that pulled a huge number of passionate followers. What was this unique about his teachings?

But also unlike other teachers, Jesus questioned the rabbi about their Jewish faith and even threw out people who were defiling the temple. He healed and did miracles on the Sabbath, his disciples did not fast and pronounced judgment to the Pharisees and scribes. This power was because Jesus was living incarnation of the spirit of God who had power over the wind of the sea (Ferguson & Duncan 14).

According to Ferguson & Duncan (24), Jesus taught what is termed as radical teachings and among them is the love for ones enemies (Mathews 5:43-47). He disputes the notion that one should only love their neighbors and hate the enemy, he points out that even the tax collectors and the Gentiles who were considered sinners loved those who love them. He admonishes people to love and pray for their enemies for them to be the children of God who allows the sun rise on both the evil and the good.

Another radical teaching is in the book of Mathew 5:38-42 which is admonishing people to refrain from revenge but to turn the other cheek if one slaps you on the cheek. He teaches people not to resist an evil person, for example, to let them have even the cloak when they take away their tunic. This teaching is against the public teaching of the rabbi that says An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Cassidy & Richard, 57).

Jesus teaching about the choice between God and money in Mathews 6:24 was also different from the rabbi's teaching. His message was clear that one had to choose one, either God or money since no one can serve two masters and be fully and equally devoted to them. Therefore no one can serve God and money (Cassidy & Richard, 60).

Jesus teaching of Luke 6:20-23 appeared to be contradicting what was known by everyone, it is about the beatitudes whereby he taught that blessed were the poor and hungry in spirit, those weeping and are hated for Christs sake, and goes ahead to show why. Their big rewards were awaiting them in heaven (Cassidy & Richard, 60).

Luke 6:24-26 continues to illuminate the contradiction of his teaching to that of the rabbi, It points out the woes awaiting those who are wealthy and full and need no Christ in their lives, they who love and are spoken well of by people (Ferguson & Duncan 40).

Jesus taught in Mathews 25:41-46 that if we fail to serve the poor, we will go to hell and in John 15:18-20, he points out that since the world hated him, the Christians will also be hated by the world (Cassidy & Richard, 64).

Jesus came to save the world and restore true faithfulness to God and many times people thought he was blaspheming. His teaching was radical it rebuked the leaders and questioned the traditions, he broke the laws of a system which was already corrupt, and leaders were misguiding the people.

Work Cited

Cassidy, Richard J. Jesus, politics, and society: A study of Luke's Gospel. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015.

Ferguson, Duncan S. The Radical Teaching of Jesus: A Teacher Full of Grace and Truth: An Inquiry for Thoughtful Seekers. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2016.