JESUS IS THE MASTER OF COMMUNICATION

 

 © Carlos Padilla, August 2020

In these convulsive current times of this 2020, in which communication has become in the battle horse with which society is manipulated, they deceive constantly in social media and other communication media; we see how many use deceit, from governments, the powerful and the public in general. By lying they serve the deceiver and antichrist (2 John 7), that Biblical character identified as the father of deceit, the same that deceived Adam and Eve in the beginning. Yes, my dear friends, the current war is taking place through communication in the media. They influence to change governments, to manipulate ideology, to indoctrinate our children and to deceive all.

How to communicate the Gospel as Jesus deserves, as well as those who hear it?

Communication walks on two legs: the communicator and the message. The interested of the receptor or the audience in the subject, depends on the quality and content of the message. But also the way we communicate is key when we present a message. A poor message is of no use despite how good the communicator is, nor does the best message poorly communicated.

Jesus is the Master of communication. His Message is the Gospel, the greatest Message ever communicated to humanity. The assertive, pedagogic and at the same time humble of his magnetic personality are the infallible combination to communicate the more important of all messages that man can receive, that which transforms life forever, which makes us know God personally through His Son Jesus Christ – Yahshua, and that which, if received gives us eternal life in His paradise.

The Bible shows that Jesus is the Master of communication. His style is assertive, honest, humble, transparent and direct to the heart of all. The following elements of his style of communication stand out: Paraverbal Elements: His voice volume. Verbal Elements: The content in fist person, and His personal attention. Non Verbal Elements: His look and His gestures.

But, how is communication? There are three main communication styles: assertive, aggressive and passive. Jesus, as we were saying communicates in an assertive way. However it is possible that all of us sometimes use the aggressive and the passive, but it must not be our base of communication. For that it would be necessary for one to have self control (2 Peter 1) to do like Jesus when He replied to the scribes and Pharisees, or when He entered the Temple when they had converted it in a “den of thieves”. Or in a passive way when He was writing on the earth when they were accusing the adulterer, with a single question that he asked all and they left the stone: “he who is without sin among you, let him through the stone at her first” (John 8:7), the woman was not stoned, and Jesus asked her not to sin again and go in peace. 

The communicator must be honest in his message, that what hi transmits is true and for the benefit of those who listen. That is what the good teachers do, those who care for the pupils, of their disciples. Many, especially in politics, use their persuasive techniques to manipulate the minds of the audience and obtain the power of nations through populism, using rhetoric and disinformation. There, responsibility is of the receptor of the message, who must work on his knowledge and investigate the information received.

Jesus is the master of pedagogy, also through questions and answers, storytelling, through outdoor conferences, through parables, and through the most famous of all sermons: the Sermon of the Mount. Culminates His mastery with the communication of the Holy Supper, after resurrection, and through another of God’s marvels, the Holy Spirit communicates from the inside of the believer as a temple of the living God, since Pentecost.

THE TECHNIQUES OF THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS

Workshops: The Lord taught and administered to His followers: Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-16; 22:7-23.

Conferences: the Lord taught the multitudes: Matthew 4:23-25; 13:1:17; Mark 3:7-12.

Questions / Answers: the Lord talks with individuals: Mark 10:17-31; John 3:1-15; 4:5-42.

With these communication techniques, Jesus cared about His receptors, about the type of people that would listen to Him, He was the best knower of the context, and of course Who has made the greatest effort to understand and adapt and be part of a culture, for He came from Heaven and became man in that moment of history. We must also know, comprehend and be part of the culture in which we are communicating the Gospel, and know firsthand who hears, sees and reads us.

THE COMMUNICATION OF JESUS THROUGH PREVERBAL ELEMENTS

John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow Me”.

John 11:33-35: “When Jesus saw her weeping, He groaned in the Spirit and was troubled. And He said: Where have you laid him?… Jesus wept”.

Luke 8:8: “When He had said these things He cried: He who has ears to hear, let him hear”.

Luke 4:32: “And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority”.

THE COMMUNICATION OF JESUS BY PERSONAL CONTENT

John 5:30, 31: “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge: and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me”.

John 6:51: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, h will live forever; and the bead that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world”.

Luke 21:15: “…for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all of adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist”.

THE COMMUNICATION OF JESUS THROUGH PERSONAL ATTENTION

Heals a leper (Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 5:12-16): “…a man full of leprosy saw Jesus and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can heal me clean”. Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed”.

Heals a paralytic (Mark 2:1-12; Luke 4:17-26): “Man, your sins are forgiven you”. “But that you may know that the Son on Man has power on earth to forgive sins” (He said to the man who was paralyzed), “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house”.

Heals a blind (John 9:5): “Go and wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

The woman who touched the border of His garment (Matthew 9:18-26; Luke 8:40-56): “And He said to her: “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace”.

THE COMMUNICATION OF JESUS THROUGH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Matthew 5:46-48: “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 16:15-17: He said to them, “But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”. Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

THE COMMUNICATION OF JESUS THROUGH HIS LOOK AND GESTURES

Feeding the five thousand: Matthew 14:19: “…And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed…”. Here, Jesus shows how He treated the people in the conference but by Him looking up to heaven He was saying it all, that what He was giving was coming from God.

The daughter of Jairus: Mark 5:41: “…Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her –the famous words– “Talitha, cumi… which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise”. Here, Jesus teaches us the degree of personal treat to which He accustomed His follower, the same as He does today.

Jesus appeared to His disciples: John 20:22: “¡Peace to you!… and having said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit…”. Again Jesus grants a deep personal treat to those who love Him.

The Holy Supper: Luke 22:19-20: “…and He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to them saying: This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying: This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you”. The Holy Supper is the greatest of all gestures of Jesus, one that transmits passing from the captivity of death to the freedom of life, and an event that today is repeated when we Christians take Holy Supper.

CONCLUSION AND APPLICATION TO TODAY’S LIFE AND MINISTRY

Jesus continues today to be the Master of communication, through the Holy Spirit and through His Word in the Bible, with His assertive and pedagogic style, whether in conferences, workshops or through questions and answers. As well as in the ministry of the Church as in Christian life.

We have seen that communication is the definitive weapon, and that the message of victory is the Gospel. To communicate it we must follow Jesus, the Master of communication.

Our voice volume must reflect today His authority, but with the adequate tone which reflects His goodness, honesty and true love of Christ to the neighbour.

Our look must be direct, but humble, a sincere expression and a relaxed and affable face. In the conference looking to all; in proximity, looking to the eyes.

Our gestures must reflect that in an honest way we care for others in good deeds, in a personal treat, dedicating time to relationships, being a friend.

The Holy Supper continues to be the greatest of all gestures for the glory of God, until the return of Christ.

Therefore, our communication in Christ is for the glory of God. But, the holy message of the Gospel is for love to our neighbour, for those who are called to the Kingdom of God that has come to take us for eternity; that holy message that one day also captivated us who believe in Jesus Christ. ¡He, who believes in Him, has eternal life! John 3:16.

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I want to thank and give my recognition to the collaboration, and authorization in this publication, of my brothers in Christ: Galiya Nasirova and Cristian Olmo, with whom we created a video presentation for the seminary, with most part of the content of this Bible study: thank you beloved brethren, ¡God bless you!