NO ONE EVER SPOKE LIKE THIS MAN Mickey Burleson (Columbia, South Carolina - October 9, 2006) In John 7:46 the officers of the chief priests said this about Jesus; “No one ever spoke like this Man.”  Also in Matthew 7 when Jesus finished the “Sermon on the Mount” the people were astonished at His teaching for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes (verse 28-29). This is a true statement; “The first impression is a lasting impression.”  Regardless of the profession we pursue we are always trying to make some kind of impression. A few days ago I was privileged to attend a seminar in Greenville with a group from St. Andrews Road.  We heard some of the most influential speakers of our day.  I was greatly impressed by their knowledge, charisma, and presentations.  These men and women were indeed impressive. Jesus Christ made an impression on more people than any one person who has ever lived on the earth.   Thousands followed Him in life.  Millions have become followers of Him since his death, burial, and resurrection. What was it about Jesus that made such an impression on so many?  Was it His dress?  Was it His ability to act or orate?  Was it His good looks?  Was it His earthly wisdom?  Let us think about Jesus’ life and investigate these questions.  Then let us follow His example in our own lives. Never in the pages of God’s word do we find that Jesus sought to impress by His dress.  Such cannot be said of some in churches today with their clerical robes, collars, and tunics. At His birth Jesus was wrapped in “swaddling cloths” (Luke 2:7) and placed in a feeding trough.  Isaiah tells us the following about Jesus, “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground.  He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2).  Those who heard Jesus speak in the synagogue had this to say in Mark 6:3; “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? So they were offended at Him.” Jesus did not seek to impress by being an orator or an actor.  Many in religious circles today are known, recognized, and followed because of their ability to act while orating.  I heard about an actor who had just read the 23rd Psalm.  After a great applause he stated, “I read it as if I believed every word.” Indeed Jesus did speak wonderful words of life.  His words were spoken as one who had authority even though according to the Jewish leaders (John 7:15) He had never studied.  He spoke words of grace in Luke 4:22.  His words were spirit and life (John 6:63).  The apostle Paul spoke of some who request a sign in order to believe and obey.  Others sought after worldly wisdom in the speaker before they would listen and learn.  He told those in Corinth that he did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, that he did not know anything except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  He spoke of his own weakness, his fear, and his trembling when he preached not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power (1 Corinthians 1:20-25; 2:1-5). Jesus did not try to impress anyone with His good looks.  Isaiah said that Jesus had no form or comeliness, no beauty that we should desire Him. Jesus did not try to impress by parading His earthly wisdom.  When Jesus went home to Nazareth and taught the people, His own countrymen said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?  Is this not the carpenter’s son?”  Jesus responded to their faithlessness saying, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country in his own house” (Matthew 13:53-58).  As a matter of fact, many times Jesus spoke in parables, earthly stories with heavenly meanings.  His lessons were so simple that even children could understand. After the minister’s sermon one member said to another, “Our preacher can really preach!  I can’t understand a word he says, but I just love to hear him.  Man, that’s real education!” Just how did Jesus speak so as to impress so many down through the centuries of time? Jesus taught with authority.  He taught with simplicity.  He taught with kindness and gentleness.  He taught pointedly.  He taught as directed by His Father. May we seek to have the mind of Christ! One final illustration:  Back in Alabama there was a certain restaurant. The owner served only two menu items; catfish and rib eye steak. This restaurant was “30 miles from nowhere.” The building was small, old, and unimpressive.  The parking lot was not paved. The restaurant opened only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  You might be thinking; there’s not way this place can stay in business.  This restaurant was one of my favorite places to eat.  On the weekend from opening to closing the wait to get seated was more than one hour.  People from three states drove the distance for dinner.  Why?  The food was simply delicious.   The price was reasonable.  The service was exceptional. The staff was friendly and well organized. In our attempt to reach as many as possible with the gospel many times we try to impress others in all the wrong ways.  We try to impress with the way we dress, with our oratory and acting abilities, with our good looks, or with our earthly wisdom.  Let us follow the example that Jesus set for us in His life and speak with authority.  Let every word be with grace and truth directly from God’s word.  Let us speak with simplicity.   We must speak words that are easily understood on the level of those who are listening.  Let us speak pointedly with kindness so as to leave not doubt with the listener of his or her responsibility to God.  Let us speak only as directed.  Let us speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the trut