Fourth Week of Lent – Jesus Teaches
From Presbyterian Outlook Devotions, Jill Duffield, Editor
Luke 4:14-15
14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
Jesus teaches throughout Luke’s Gospel. He teaches in formal settings like synagogues. He teaches outdoors to crowds gathered eager to hear his words. He teaches with stories, telling parables that invite listeners to reach their own – often surprising, yet inevitable – conclusion. He teaches by asking questions. He most certainly teaches by example, modeling for his followers how they are to be in the world. He reminds his followers that even after he no longer walks the earth, the Spirit will remind them of all that he taught them. Friends and foe alike refer to him as teacher, rabbi.
This week we focus on Jesus, the teacher, our teacher. We remember, like those first disciples, that Jesus continues to teach and that the Spirit tutors us. We are not self-taught, but mentored, guided, instructed and given tools to help us hone our discipleship. While a YouTube video might teach us how to change a tire or Khan Academy might help us master calculus, learning the will and ways of God, growing in Christian maturity and deepening our discipleship requires face-to-face time with Jesus, his Word and members of his Body.
Who were (or are) your favorite teachers? What made them so? I suspect their passion for their subject engaged you. I imagine their patience allowed you to persist when the material got challenging. I trust that they valued you, thought you had something worth sharing or invited you to risk trying a new thing. Good teachers push us just enough, praise us honestly, critique us with care and call forth the best of us. They never let us stop learning. Jesus, the master teacher, never stops teaching and calls us to never stop learning how to follow him a little more closely each day.
Master teacher, your patience astounds us. We are humbled and shocked by your willingness to meet us where we are, challenge us with care, honor our slightest progress and believe in our ability to serve you in ways that make a difference. Make of us eager students, unafraid to ask questions, try new things, make mistakes
and always, always keep learning. Amen.
