Subscription Lists
Thoughts of a saint and slave
by Sam Isaacson
I am sure that some readers at this point will begin to give up on the current series, studying Jesus' character in John, because we seem to be moving so slowly! It has been a number of weeks and we are still in chapter one, and I can tell you now that we will remain here for a couple of weeks more - WHY?! Well, firstly we know from 2 Timothy 3:16 that 'all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,' so the fact that we're only spending one week on each of these points doesn't do justice to the Author! Secondly, this first chapter is so full of Jesus that it is naturally going to take us a while to get through it - but I promise we will start to speed up in a few weeks and before you know it we'll be nearing the end of John!
Anyway, this week we are looking at John 1:38, which recounts:
'Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”'
A short passage, and we are going to look at just one important word: Rabbi. Jesus is called by the title 'teacher' an additional five times in the gospel of John alone, including being given the title by Nicodemus, and Mary Magdalene.
The real question is how we should respond; what should we learn from the fact that Jesus is called 'Teacher'? Let's look at two key aspects of teachers:
Authority
The first part of being a teacher is the word authority. If Jesus is a teacher, and he is, then we must recognise that as a teacher he knows the truth. In fact, because this is Jesus we're talking about we can say that Jesus is not just a teacher, he is the Teacher, because he is the truth (John 14:6). This means that, as the Teacher, when Jesus speaks we know he speaks as One with authority. Logically, therefore, because Jesus literally personifies truth there must be something in us that believes what he says! When Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 that 'everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery' then, gentlemen, we must believe that when we take that second glance at a lady who is appealing to our eyes we have just cheated on our wives . . . once we begin to actually believe that Jesus is the truth, and tells the truth, we realise that we are exactly the same as those sinners we find it so easy to judge, who murder, commit adultery, and worse. Recognising Jesus' authority brings us to a more accurate perspective of our own foolishness, sinfulness, and need for a Saviour.
Thankfully the truth that Jesus holds all the authority is also comforting because it means that when he cried on the cross 'It is finished!' (John 19:30) we can know for certain that it is! The price has been paid in full and we are now free from sin and death. God's grace is absolutely magnificent and the realisation that seeing Jesus' authority can bring is wonderful.
Instruction
Alongside a teacher's characteristic of authority must come the aspect of instruction - we do not go to school or college so that we can be entertained; we go in order to learn from one who will speak to us from their knowledge. When Jesus speaks about the right way to live we can find comfort in the fact that Jesus not only tells us the way, but that he is the way (John 14:6)! There is one thing that we must take from this therefore: let us listen to the teacher and allow ourselves to learn from him. When he tells us to do radical things for him let's not try to argue but have humility in the fact that he knows best and is the Teacher - his instruction must be followed! This is, I feel, best summed up in Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10 among many others which say that 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'
Summary
A quick summary:
- Jesus' role carries an authority which enables us to see our own folly and sinfulness.
- Jesus' role carries an authority which gives us an assurance that we have been saved from the punishment we deserve.
- Jesus' role means that he gives instructions, which we must follow if we are to be wise.
Rate it:
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Thoughts of a saint and slave" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.