Articles
Jesus’ Pulpit
Jesus’ Pulpit
Where did Jesus preach?
Take, for example, scenes found in the gospel of Luke. To be sure, He preached in places you’d expect to find a rabbi, like the Jerusalem temple (2:46-47; 19:47-48) and in the synagogues (4:15-16; 6:6; 13:10). But He did not limit Himself to “appropriate times” in official places of worship.
Jesus sat in a boat on the shores of Galilee, preaching to fishermen and workers (5:1-3). Jesus entered homes (5:17-26) and spoke to all who would listen, whether friends or enemies. He preached at places of business and at dinner tables (5:27-32; 7:36-50; 11:37; 14:1-24; 22:14). He preached before a few travelers while walking in the country (6:1-5) and before crushing throngs while on a mountainside (6:17-19). He traveled to cities, towns, and villages of all sizes to preach (8:1-4, 9:10-11; 13:22; 17:11-12) and did not fail to find a teachable moment even while walking the roads between (9:57). He preached to huge crowds (8:40; 14:25), but also to small gatherings (9:18-22), and even to individuals (10:38- 42; 11:1). Jesus made time to love every precious soul He met.
Jesus managed to strike a chord in the simple-minded (10:21-22) and in professionally educated lawyers (10:25). He spoke to both sinners and tax-collectors (15:1), and to know- it-all religious Pharisees (11:37-41), challenging both groups in exactly the ways they most needed to be challenged. He spoke to synagogue leaders (8:49-56), to skeptical government officials (23:3). Perhaps most impressive of all, He received and spoke to children (18:15- 17).
Jesus engaged in debates with religious leaders and marveled at their hard-heartedness (11:53-54; 13:17; 20:1). He preached to downcast widows and marveled at their faith (8:43- 48). He spoke up whether it was to agree with a statement (10:28) or to contradict it (11:28). He spoke up whether it brought joy to His heart (19:1-10) or tears to His cheeks (18:18-27). When He noticed something that provided a good illustration, He mentioned it (21:1-4).
He opened His mouth even when it hurt to draw breath (23:27-31). Jesus never wasted an opportunity. Interestingly, the only time Jesus refused to give comment was when a man tried to get him to settle a petty personal dispute (12:13-14)—but even this provided a lesson.
Let’s not limit ourselves to places of worship, either. Let all Christians take advantage of the teachable moments God places before us daily—in public transportation, at ball fields, in grocery stores, at work. Preachers, let’s not limit ourselves to the pulpit. We’ve not discharged our duty to spread the gospel unless we take the truth through the community and teach “from house to house” (Acts 20:20).
–John Guzzetta
