“Although Jesus has all power and authority, he teaches us gently and humbly and always with love.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 4, 2021
You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. John 13:13
I have recently been thinking about the teachers who poured into my life so I could succeed. “Can you imagine?” I said to my husband, “Someone taught me to read, write, add and subtract. What would life be like if I hadn’t learned those things? I am so grateful for everyone who helped make me who I am today.”
When I think about my many teachers, one stands out. Her name was Mrs. Fisher. I honestly don’t remember much about her except that she had kind eyes and taught me my ABC’s in first grade. I also remember she loved me and my classmates.
I know this to be true because one day she came into our classroom and shared why she had been away for a few days: she had gotten married. She sat in a small chair and we sat huddled around her feet on the old, wooden school floor, then she presented her wedding photos to us. When she got to the one where she and her new husband were smooching, we all looked down at the floor, giggled, and responded like…well…like first graders.
We knew Mrs. Fisher loved us.
When I think of my special first grade teacher, I also think of Jesus.
Matthew 4:23 shows how He teaches with power.
Matthew 7:28 reveals how He teaches with authority.
But in everything, Jesus always teaches with love.
Of himself, Christ says in Matthew 11:29, “I am gentle and humble in heart.” This is His heart: gentle and humble. It’s who He is. So, even when Christ teaches with authority and power, He never stops being loving. Even when we sin and we need to be corrected, His love never fails. His loving heart motivates Him to show us the way and teach us how to navigate life’s problems, pitfalls, and even sin. Just like Mrs. Fisher’s love motivated her to teach me my ABCs with kindness.
One afternoon several years ago, I was thinking about a sin I had struggled with. In a quick moment, the Lord showed me a picture in my mind’s eye of three circles. One circle represented me. One circle represented my sin—and one circle represented Christ. He showed me by moving these circles around that I believed that when I am doing well and not being disobedient, that Christ is standing right next to me. Then, He showed me how I believed that when I sin, that He moves away from me and a black circle of sin is in-between the two of us. “This is not how it is, Shana” he said. “I never move away from you. In fact, I am working to stand between you and your sin to deliver you.”
He teaches with power.
He teaches with authority.
But He always teaches with love. Just like Mrs. Fisher did. He is gentle and humble in heart.
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Prayer
Lord, how I praise you that you are the best kind of teacher. You are gentle and humble in heart. Thank you Lord, for showing me the way. I never have to be ashamed. You will always help me. Amen.
Application
What do you appreciate most about Jesus as your Teacher? Tell Him today and thank Him.
Related Reading
1 John 4:8-9; 1 Corinthians 13:13; John 3:2
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Worship Resource
Chris Tomlin – Jesus
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