And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching....

Matthew 7:28

Jesus came teaching and preaching. His ministry only lasted three years. Yet, no one before him or afterwards ever changed the course of history as he did. We divide time by his birth. His teaching changed the hearts of ordinary people to testify as to their faith in him as the Messiah.

When I share my faith with those who do not believe, I try to get them to examine for themselves the words of Jesus. While the believer accepts this as scripture, for those who do not believe there is a historical record of his words. When someone reads for himself or herself the words of Jesus there is a power that draws one to faith. The Bible is not some magic book. It is simply the testimony of those who experienced God firsthand and their story about what happened in their lives. Mark described his teaching this way: "And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes." Jesus's words are not a legal code or a set of rules. For him truth is a personality. This is an examination anyone can make on their own. It is one that we need to share and teach with those who do not believe.