“Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, conceded that Jesus of Nazareth was a ‘teacher’ from God, as documented by ‘signs’ which he did (John 3:2). A wealthy young ruler approached the Lord asking, ‘Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’ (Matthew 19:16). Even Jesus’ enemies addressed him as ‘Teacher’ (Matthew 22:16, 24), though their use of the expression was not always genuine. The Lord is addressed as ‘Teacher’ twenty-nine times in the Gospels. The noun (teacher) and verb (teach) combined are used of Jesus some ninety times.” ~Bro. Wayne Jackson, Christian Courier.
When I hear the word “teacher,” I have good thoughts! One of the best things parents did for me was to make sure I did not have interruptions in my formal education. I attended one school system from first grade through twelfth grade (kindergarten had not been invented when I was a child). During my twelve years, I only had one bad teacher. Bad being defined as how this guy treated me, not what content he taught me. Of course, that experience happened when I was in middle school. I know for a fact my coping skills were probably the reason why I struggled with that one teacher. In sum, that’s a pretty good percentage; one “bad teacher” in twelve years. My experience with teachers was so great I decided I wanted to become one. In our society, it is said that education is the “great equalizer” in relation to providing opportunities for success in The United States. Ask yourself, “Where would I be without my education?” Teachers have the ability to instruct, impact, and influence while “touching the future.”
We know “knowledge is power!” Paul understood this when he stated in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Jesus, obviously, anyone who would listen to what we all will be judged on, His words! Jesus says in John 12:48, “ He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” Knowledge of Scripture is not only powerful, but eternal!Jesus came to save the world. We need to listen to what He is teaching!
Jesus taught while in conversations, in the middle of conflict, and with parables. John Maxwell says, “Everyone communicates, few connect.” Jesus always connects. For example, look at the conversation Jesus has with Nicodemus which is documented in John 3. Jesus teaches how we all must enter the Kingdom of God and the conditions of the born-anew process by which one enters. Jesus is teaching content, making a connection, and reminding his audience of the commitment that must be made. We are allowed to see how this relationship began with instruction, but ended with devotion. The ruler defended the Lord before his peers (John 7:46-52) and assisted Joseph of Arimathea in the preparation of Christ’s body for burial (John 19:38-42). A conversation created a bond that would last to the tomb. Scripture says, “After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.”
“Good teaching” endures and requires effort while producing outcomes. Jesus is the Master. Hopefully, we all have experienced “good teachers” in our homes, in our school experience, in our life, and the church. As I begin another school year, I hope to be like the teachers I had as a kid. As I have conversations with everyone I meet, I hope to be like the teacher I follow, Jesus. It has been said of Christ, “As his critics, both ancient and modern, fade into the obscurity they so justly deserve, the Son of God, who adorned this earth with his presence two thousand years ago, will continue to exert his influence through a vast conglomerate of students around the globe, who will bless humanity because of the teacher at whose feet they have received instruction.”
