THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 20:41-47
“Beware of the teachers of the law.” (Luke 20:46)
I need to take these words to heart for myself, as ‘a teacher of the law’.
I am someone who devotes my time to studying and teaching scripture.
We speak with authority, quote Greek and Hebrew as we tell people what God is saying.
In this reading, Jesus challenges their authority and teaching.
He warns how such teachers put on a good show, but are often guilty of harming people.
We make people feel guilty, we suggest that they are going against God.
We use our knowledge to our advantage to get people to listen, to do what we think.
It is certainly not my desire to be like this, but there is always the risk.
I take from this a strong caution to be very careful how I teach, what I say.
My job is to help people find and follow Jesus themselves, He is their teacher!
Jesus sends His Spirit to be their ‘teacher’, they must discern God’s will and way.
I am not their counselor, but a fellow student; together we listen to our Teacher!
I can help them, and they can help me, and together we learn from the Master.
In the end, they must follow their conscience, and I mine, and let Jesus be the Judge!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, Your Spirit teaches me, and Your Spirit teaches us. Help me not to presume a place in others lives that only You can take. Help me be a humble and sincere student of Your teaching!