Subscription Lists

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: John6.1-6

“After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’ But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.” (John 6.1-6).

Thayer states that the word “test” as used in the verse just quoted means “…to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself 2a) in a good sense; 2b) in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments; 2c) to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin…” Jesus, the unique and unequalled teacher was doing what all good teachers do; He was checking the degree to which one of His students had learned the lessons of the past. Certainly Jesus was not testing Philip in an evil way, but only to facilitate his further learning.

Teachers who truly wish to help their students have no choice but to assess the status of each student and to tailor his/her interactions with the students based on these findings. One way to know the status of a student is by testing; that is exactly what Jesus was doing – just in a bit of a non-conventional manner. In this case, the test was not a “pass or fail” quiz; it was merely a reality check of Philip’s spiritual status. What did Philip believe about Jesus? What limitations, if any, did he place on the Lord’s abilities? Was Philip empathetic at all to the needs of the multitudes that were assembled and in need of food? Testing was needed, but in this case the testing was more about moving Philip to examine himself than about letting Jesus know Philip’s condition.

Jesus truly cared for His disciples; some were closer to Him than others, but not a single disciple could charge Him with failing to care. His instruction was flawless, and the patience that He exhibited was truly incredible. He frequently would charge His hearers to take heed how and/or what they heard as regards the learning process (see Mark 4.24 and Luke 8.18). Jesus used verbal instruction, visual aides, illustrations, object lessons, parables, and several other instructional techniques. Some disciples may have been visual learners, others verbal, some active, some reflective, some intuitive, some tactile, others may have been sequential learners and even global learners. Regardless of their limitations or their capacities, He taught with a view toward only one thing, i.e. their learning of the essentials which they needed to know in order to perform the work that God expected of them.

When we become teachers, we take on a fearsome task. One reason teaching is such a daunting job is because none of us can ever fill the sandals that Jesus wore. Jesus knew this yet He told His disciples to go and teach all men of every nation (Matthew 28.18-20). He knew what He would do (as in the focus text) and He also knows what we will do. Still, He says teach!

Questions:

1. Why would Jesus have tested Philip?

2. Is it possible that Jesus tested Philip for an evil or sinister reason? Why or why not?

3. Why must conscientious teachers “test” every student?

4. Did Jesus know the limitations of His disciples? Does He know our limitations? If yes, why does He still command us to teach others? We have this treasure in “_________ __________ .”

(2 Corinthians 4.7).

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

3 steps to peace...