Doing and Teaching
“….The physician Luke wrote it in order that the reader might find health for his soul. Note also that he says, “all that Jesus began to do and teach,” first “do” and then “teach,” because Jesus, establishing the pattern of a good teacher, taught nothing except those things which He did.” (St. Bede)
“Teachers in the Church, whether pastors, Sunday school teachers or youth leaders, must teach by example, not simply by rote or by command. Teachers in the Church themselves must be living their life in repentance, so that they can help other learners come to repentance. Pastors especially may be tempted to lead by authoritarian command as that makes their life easier, but Christian teaching involves modeling behavior and attitudes that others can imitate. Despotic teachers have no role in the Church. “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). (Fr. Ted Bobosh)
“The teachings of Christ are not, primarily, metaphysical pronouncements about the nature of things. Instead, they are commandments regarding what we should do – based on who God is. “Love your enemies – because God is kind to both the good and the evil.” This pattern holds throughout Christ’s teachings. It is a directive that intends to shape our lives such that our lives themselves become a “living theology,” a revelation of the nature of God made known in the shape of our actions.” (Father Stephen Freeman)
“Christ tells us there is a way to avoid being judged on the Last Day – believe in God and put into practice Christ’s teaching now in this world. Be a doer of what Christ taught us such as in the parable of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. Care for Christ by taking care of the needs of poor, the homeless, prisoners, and the sick. When is Christ hungry? Whenever a poor person is hungry. How can we feed the hungry Christ? By providing for the needs of the poor who are in our midst. St. John Chrysostom reminds us of Christ’s parable of the Last Judgment and the things for which we will be judged, but also he points out the sins for which we won’t be judged. Christ is more concerned about our humanity or inhumanity than about transgressions or asceticism…He who “does and teaches” has wisdom and understanding...To teach but not do would be hypocrisy...” (Fr.
Ted Bobosh, Orthodox Study Bible, Deuteronomy 4:6)
“So much of true perception and understanding of the things we are taught in the faith comes from the action of applying what we believe and actually living it. For example, Christ tells us to love our neighbor. We don’t perceive or understand what this truly means in full until we actually do it. This is why a deeper and truer understanding of everything Christ teaches comes from putting His words into practice consistently and as a complete way of life (Matthew 7:24).” (Sacramental Living Ministries)
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