Kissing Up
Posted in Daily Focus on Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Since understanding the psyche of a teacher puts a student at a distinct advantage, many students have used the age-old tactic of studying their teacher to get better grades. Homeschool children are no exception in using this technique, except for the fact that they have more hours to perfect it. As my children grew older, they knew how to read me like one of their favorite books. Instinctively, they knew what questions I would include on tests and learned to word their answers based on what they thought I wanted to read. My challenge as their teacher was to out think them by mixing up the test's format (True/False, matching, essay, etc.) and to ask them questions which were not easily answered.
When Jesus lived here on earth, his challenge as a teacher was just the opposite. He kept revealing his power and authority to those who followed him through healings and miracles, but they kept failing the tests of understanding who Jesus really was - the Son of God. One day, however, Jesus gave a semester exam and asked his disciples the essay question, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Only one student answered the question correctly - Peter, who responded emphatically, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13) Jesus immediately graded his answer with an A+ and said, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:17)
What kind of grades have you been getting on your tests in life? Do you know the heart and mind of your teacher - the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, go to the Bible and study His Word to find out what He expects from you each day. By studying His Word, your mind will be transformed as you begin to think like Christ instead of the world. (Romans 12:2) Become your teacher's "pet" and ask the Holy Spirit to open your understanding so you can live your life like Jesus today. "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:14)
Jesus,
Help me understand what it means to truly follow You. Teach me to trust Your wisdom and to learn those lessons which will make me more like You. In Your precious name, Amen.
When Jesus lived here on earth, his challenge as a teacher was just the opposite. He kept revealing his power and authority to those who followed him through healings and miracles, but they kept failing the tests of understanding who Jesus really was - the Son of God. One day, however, Jesus gave a semester exam and asked his disciples the essay question, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Only one student answered the question correctly - Peter, who responded emphatically, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13) Jesus immediately graded his answer with an A+ and said, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16:17)
What kind of grades have you been getting on your tests in life? Do you know the heart and mind of your teacher - the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, go to the Bible and study His Word to find out what He expects from you each day. By studying His Word, your mind will be transformed as you begin to think like Christ instead of the world. (Romans 12:2) Become your teacher's "pet" and ask the Holy Spirit to open your understanding so you can live your life like Jesus today. "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:14)
Jesus,
Help me understand what it means to truly follow You. Teach me to trust Your wisdom and to learn those lessons which will make me more like You. In Your precious name, Amen.
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