The Great Teacher

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“O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old.”   – Psalm 78:1-2

Jesus was often referred to as “Rabbi” by His disciples and others in and around Jerusalem.  The term Rabbi comes from the Greek word Rhabbi, which refers to a title used by Jews to address their teachers, honored ones or great one.  As recorded in Matthew, Mark and John, He was seen as a teacher with knowledge well beyond the earthly realm.  He was always teaching them, through his words, actions and interactions with others.  He knew the scriptures like the Pharisee and Sadducees, and the law even better.  There are countless times when they attempted to trap Him by means of the laws of their ancestors, to which He was always able to respond in accordance with the laws of His Father.

From the tender age of 12 we find Jesus sitting in the synagogue learning from the teachers and scholars of the time.  His mind absorbing their teachings, so in turn He would be able to teach and dispute them one day.  He studied in the tradition of His family and learned from the Torah.  I laugh when I think about this, for as the original author of the book how easy it must have been for Him to memorize the scriptures.  Can you imagine the reaction of His teachers when they would quiz Him on the specifics and He would get every single question right?  I can picture them huddling together to try and stump the boy, but to no avail; it had to be frustrating teaching Jesus Christ the scriptures.

Jesus taught His disciples and in doing so, through the New Testament has taught billions of people over the last 1980 years.  Other religions have formed and used His teachings as their fundamental truths.  You can look at the moral code, ethics and description of integrity and find the underpinnings of Jesus teachings at the core.  One of His most famous teaching moments was recorded in Matthew 5 – 7, The Sermon on the Mount.  It was here that Christ taught the multitudes of the blessings, glory, love, patience, compassion, forgiveness, truth, peace and even sin.  But I propose that this was not His most famous teaching moment.

Upon the cross Jesus hung.  Beaten, bruised and scarred for our inequities.  The people of Jerusalem ridiculed, mocked and spat upon Him.  Even the teachers and leaders of the day mocked Him – “He saves others, but can’t save himself.  He’s the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross and we will believe.”  Could Jesus have done that?  Certainly, but because He didn’t we are still talking about Him today.  In His infinite wisdom, He taught us all from that one action that our lives are worth His death, that He loved us enough to die for us and that indeed by conquering the grave He taught us all that He truly was the Son of God.  Jesus was born to teach us about God’s love, grace, forgiveness, mercy, sovereignty, omnipotence and so much more.  We are drawn close to God Almighty because Jesus Christ was born and fulfilled this purpose in teaching us.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with thanksgiving in our hearts. Thanksgiving that you would gave Your son for us, to redeem our sins and set us free from the bondage of this world.  Free to worship, praise and bring glory to You.  We learn from Your Word the truth’s of Your Son and the Holy Spirit and we put these truths into action as we spread Your Good News.  We are in awe of Your redeeming grace and mercy.  We lean upon these never changing truths and draw near to Your bosom.  For it is in Your name we pray - Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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Bible Study – James (day 8)

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“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22 (click here for context v.22-25)

What are you afraid of?  Is there anything that fills you with complete fear and thereby reverses your action?  Lisa and I were once on a bike ride.  As we peddled down the bike path along side of a small retention pond near a golf course, we came upon a large black coiled up water moccasin in the middle of the bike path. It’s body was as round as my forearm, it was hard to determine how long it was based on it’s position. It raised it’s head, hissed and that was that.  We turned our bikes away, went to the other side of the road, peddled down the road and then came back onto the bike path 20 or 30 yards away from the slithery fellow.  There are certain things which strike fear in all of us.

There was a point in time when people feared God.  The scriptures were personal to the children of God in the times leading up to and around Jesus birth and life.  The engagement between the divine presence of God Almighty and mankind was evidenced to those familiar with Moses, Abraham, David and the other heroes from the Bible.  There is a story in 2 Samuel 6 where Uzzah was struck dead by God Almighty for touching the Ark of the Covenant when it became unsteady as they were transporting it.  This seems radical by our standards, but not by God’s.  There were many laws regarding the Ark of the Covenant throughout the Old Testament.  You see the Ark of the Covenant represented God’s Holy presence with the Israelites and was to be kept in the temple, sacred and hidden from view behind the curtain in the Most Holy Place.  Approaching the Ark was to be in God’s presence, His holiness and perfection; intolerable of man’s sinful nature.  Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place and look upon the Ark of the Covenant after considerable cleansing and purification.  God’s actions against Uzzah were clearly defined and known by the scriptures regarding the Ark, yet he chose to defy God’s directions and take action (reaching out to steady the Ark) anyway, rather than grabbing the pole it was being carried on.

The new covenant with God holds just as much authority over mankind.  This new covenant based on the blood of Jesus Christ, has clearly defined how we are to live our lives.  Yet, many of us take it lightly, interpret it to fit into our lifestyle and thereby defy the actual word of the Lord.  God has demonstrated that He has little tolerance for mankind to take His word and adjust it to fit our means.  It was written down, by those He appointed, with the specific purpose of becoming a living document for all of mankind.  We are held accountable to living by the guidelines established by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, just as Paul, John and the others were held accountable.  Time has not minimized the relevance or intentions of the word.  It is still God’s commands to you and I, and we ought not take it lightly. 

The bible tells us clearly there is but one path to righteousness and eternity with God Almighty and that is through His Son – Jesus Christ.  Others may choose to believe that there are many paths and that all God’s are equal, they will one day discover that were deceived.  God tells us in Matthew 7:21-22 that many will come calling “Lord, Lord” but will not enter the kingdom of heaven; and many will claim that they have prophesied or cast out demons in His name, but will hear the Son state “Away from me you evil doers”  Trust in His word and the truth that is contained therein.  He has given you the path to righteousness, act on it and live by it, so that one day in the presence of the Lord you will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into my presence.”

ACTION: Have you no fear of God’s wrath on mankind?  Do you not fear the judgment seat of God Almighty, or do you even think about or care about it?  It is critical that you take this aspect of your life with the utmost sincerity and seriousness.  Studying the word of God and learning of His love, grace and mercy is the most important part of your entire life.  Are you committed as much to Him and His ways as you are to your own plans in life?  

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com