The Preaching of Christ

Christ’s preaching, and that of his apostles, was,first of all, to the Jews. Thus: (a) he fulfilled the promise of God to the patriarchs; (b) he preached first to believers in God who were apt instruments for conveying his teaching to the”races” or “Gentiles”; (c) he thus deprived the Chosen People of any show of justice in their act of rejecting him;(d) he was ready, after the Resurrection, to extend his mission to include the Gentiles, and to send his apostles “to all nations.”

Our Lord spoke to the Jews, not only kindly andplacatingly, but with occasional sternness and words of sharpreproach. Some of the Scribes and Pharisees, leaders of the people,showed much pride and malice in their attitude towards God made man, and kept others from hearing and heeding his teaching. When our Lord rebuked them, it was not through pique or resentment, but because of his love for their souls as well as the souls they were influencing.

Christ spoke openly to the people. He brought essential truth to all men, not hiding its light “under a bushel,“or uttering it in occult words. Even when he “spoke inparables,” he explained the parables to his disciples, who would convey their meaning to all who were willing to hear.

Our Lord wrote no books or documents. He left that task, in so far as divine Wisdom wills to have it done, to writers inspired by God for the work. Christ spoke to people, and impressed truth in the hearts of his willing hearers.