Luke and the Lost

All through my high school and college years, I’ve had some really great teachers…and a few who were awful. The ones who were awful I cannot even call teachers. They were arrogant and held the knowledge they had obtained, that they were supposed to pass on to their students, so high no one could reach it. The students in those classroom situations never knew what to expect on a test or project assignment. “I will tell you when you do what I want or expect” was the reply to most questions. I vowed to never be a teacher like that.

As I look back on all these experiences, I’m beginning to think, that these bad teacher types didn’t know what they wanted, didn’t know how to interrupt or pass on the information they knew. This not knowing led to the arrogance as a tool for intimidating their students! Ah, now I get it. AND they certainly didn’t perform or live their lives as teachers in the ways their knowledge dictated.

Mmm…kind of like the scribes, the highly religious scholars, who knew the Truth of the Torah, made up a boat-load of rules that burdened the commoners, but, of course, did not live it themselves, much less recognize the Person of Truth when He came! They can forget having a relationship with Him, for He might find out how little they really know and how much they have been hiding form the rest of the common people…who, by the way, got it before they did. Immediately. And they have the boldness to ask “by whose authority do you speak”?

Luke 20, The Message

20 1-2 One day he was teaching the people in the Temple, proclaiming the Message. The high priests, religion scholars, and leaders confronted him and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?”

3-4 Jesus answered, “First, let me ask you a question: About the baptism of John—who authorized it, heaven or humans?”

5-7 They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, “If we say ‘heaven,’ he’ll ask us why we didn’t believe him; if we say ‘humans,’ the people will tear us limb from limb, convinced as they are that John was God’s prophet.” They agreed to concede that round to Jesus and said they didn’t know.

8 Jesus said, “Then neither will I answer your question.”

Yes, Jesus beat them at their own game. Jesus is God. Jesus knows every heart. Jesus is the One and Only who has all authority from God, The Father over all heaven and earth. And they chose to question Him? What arrogance!

Are we like that when we know the Truth of God’s Word but don’t live it out in our daily relationships with family, coworkers, friends, and enemies? Are we like that when we compartmentalize our lives by pulling out the truth for worships days? Are we like that when our faith is tested and we worry to the point of making ourselves physically ill. Are we like that when we go our own way because it is easier at the time? Are we like that when we don’t stand firm in what is right for fear of not fitting in?

Dear Heavenly Father, We can be just as arrogant at times when we don’t put our whole lives in Your hands, be guided and led by You, worship You alone or just hold the Truth to ourselves. I repent of all of these thoughts and actions. Draw nearer still to us and teach us Your ways, O Lord. Your servant is listening with a humbled heart. In Jesus Name, Amen