Understanding
By Linda and
Richard Eyre
Note:
Each week this column provides a short essay on one particular aspect
or facet of the Lord’s personality and character. It is intended
that the reader focus on this facet while partaking of the sacrament
this Sunday. (Click here to
read full introductory column.). Review previous columns by going
to the What Manner of
Man Archives.
A
good teacher understands — he understands his topics of subject
matter, his listeners, their needs, and his relationship with them.
A
great teacher not only understands, but enlarges the understanding
of those he teaches.
Today,
extensive academic fields of “behavioral science” have grown up
around “human relations.” A great branch of the medical field concerns
itself with psychology and psychiatry. Books by the thousands are
printed and distributed on how to relate, how to listen, how to
motivate, how to empathize, how to communicate, how to compliment,
how to encourage, how to make friends. Yet all the books and branches
and academic fields are somehow encompassed and surpassed by Christ’s
simple examples and teachings on how to love.
Christ’s
tolerance and understanding enabled him to see offensive characteristics
as sure signs that someone needed help.
He
thought of ant taught each person as an individual. He listened
with his eyes and his heart as well as with his ears. And thus,
using his divine powers, he know people instantly — not only their
characters but the background of their lives (see John 4:17-19).
Through
this tremendous understanding, Jesus taught specific people according
to their specific needs: He told the rich young ruler that he should
sell all that he had and give it to the poor and follow him (see
Luke 18:18-22). He told a sinner who felt the possibilities of repentance
to go and sin no more (see John 8:11). He told Peter through unforgettable
question-and-answer repetition to take over leadership and feed
His sheep (see John 21:15-17).
Because
he understood individual souls, he taught specific, personal needs
in the particular way that each individual could understand. Because
he understood, he was understood, and thus we now understand
him as the greatest teacher the world will ever know.
Next
week, let us look at how the Savior taught and at the imagery, vitality and power of His words.
© 2005 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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