The theme for today’s devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah is ”The Greatest Teacher”
SCRIPTURE: Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).-John 20:16
Pedagogue (teacher) comes from Greek paidagogos—a slave (tutor) who accompanied a child to school. There are two great teachers in the Bible: Solomon in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament. Solomon’s proverbs and Jesus’ parables were similar in that they illustrated deep truths with simple, everyday examples.
But they differed in this way: Unlike Jesus, Solomon didn’t always practice what he taught. We know that Solomon’s priorities were skewed as he pursued worldly temptations, whereas Jesus was the living example of the values and priorities of the Kingdom of God. “Teacher” in Jesus’ day was another word for rabbi, one who was a teacher of the law—like Gamaliel who was the teacher of Saul of Tarsus (who became the apostle Paul) and who was “held in respect by all the people” (Acts 5:34; 22:3). But not even Gamaliel taught with the same authority as Jesus—people “were astonished at His teaching” (Luke 4:32).
Jesus tutored and taught His disciples for three years and sent His Spirit to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). Sit at His feet daily to learn from His teachings (Luke 10:39).
A disciple is a person who learns to live the life his teacher lives.
Juan Carlos Ortiz
Credit: Turning Point Ministries
