“And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.” Luke 21:37-38 ESV
Reflection: do you consider Jesus your teacher?
I am in the middle of expanding my skills to better help companies evaluate the applicability of automation across their business. This is a rapidly growing field, and most companies will have to tackle topics of automation in order to stay competitive and relevant. Now, as we all know, for me to acquire new knowledge and skills first requires someone teaching it, whether in a physical or virtual classroom, or through written materials. But that is not enough, even from the best education institution, teachers and materials. I have to commit myself to learn it, which takes time and effort by me. And then eventually put any new skills into practice. If I just listen and leave all this great new knowledge in the classroom, in the materials and books, and don’t absorb it for myself, I am no good helping others, helping companies. I might as well just hand them a book and say learn it for yourself. There is some great stuff there.
The disciples spent 3 dedicated years walking with and learning directly from Jesus about the kingdom of heaven. Can you image listening to the Master every day, at all times of the day? Intense training. John made this interesting conclusion in the end of his book about Jesus, saying “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25 ESV. And Jesus also made the disciples practice what he taught them, as he sent them multiple times out by themselves. He wanted them to spread the message, spread the knowledge about the kingdom of heaven. To be the light.
We see in our focus verses today that, even days before Jesus was going to be crucified, he came daily to the temple to teach. He wanted to pass on as much knowledge as possible, before he went to be with the Father. Talk about dedication!! And I was thinking about that today, of comparing Jesus dedication to teach us, and our dedication to learn.
How important is it for us to learn from him? To gain knowledge?
A tough question, I know, because we have so many things that demand our time. Or, that we perhaps prioritize? Some might think this is what we pay pastors for, to learn the Bible so that they can give the congregation the highlights, or the “elevator pitch”, as we used to call it. But while Jesus focused on teaching the disciples, the number 12 was for practical purposes. He expected them to pass the knowledge on to others. We also see Jesus teaching in temple, anyone who wanted to hear him and learn.
What part of scripture are you studying these days?
What is Jesus teaching you about? If you don’t have a good answer, perhaps it is time to make a commitment to learn. There is no lack of training material. And Jesus wants us to be diligent students as his disciples, dedicated to learning about the kingdom of heaven. How else can we be the light of this world, and pass on our knowledge to others?