Apr. 2: Jesus the Teacher

Always teaching; not just blabbering on without an audience; but choosing the moment—strategic. Jesus spent that final week teaching the most important of lessons in the most memorable ways.

He taught the power of faith, who He was, and about the Kingdom of God:
"Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." (Matthew 21:42-44)

He spoke warnings, talk about paying taxes and taught about the End of the Ages. He spoke of betrayal and what matters most:
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)

He demonstrated the most valuable of lessons:
“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him...”

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:2-17)

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

Always taking advantage of every teachable moment, Jesus filled those final days with instruction and reminders of what matters most: Love, servant-leadership, His Authority and identity as the Son of God. I encourage to find some time this week to read the specifics of those final teachings (Matthew 21-25; Mark 11-13) and be challenged, comforted and find direction from Jesus the Teacher.

~ Father, help me to focus on Jesus this week: Who He is, how He lived, what He taught. Help me not only to hear, but to put into practice those object lessons about love and service. Amen.