Tag: Teacher

You First

“37Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:37-38 (ESV)

A pretty common couple of verses. As I continue my study of the word “disciple” the LORD led me to this passage in Luke’s gospel titled “Judging Others” in my ESV Bible. The verse I was led to I have looked through in another writing, but as usual, God leads me where He needs me to be.

The above verses speak of not judging others to keep from being judged ourselves and what great wisdom that is. This passage is filled with wisdom from the LORD related to judgment of others and we will likely recognize the below verses that bring that wisdom home.

“41Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” – Luke 6:41-42 (ESV)

Who am I to judge others when I have many things in my life that I need to get right. I have to think of my walk with Christ before I can talk to others about their walk. I have to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me from my heart before using my mind to lead others.

“40A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” – Luke 6:40 (ESV)

As a disciple of Christ I have to remember that I can only work to be like Christ and not be Him. Where Jesus was perfect with no “log” in His eye, I am without those logs. I will never have all of the logs out of my eye and there for I have concern myself with my own faults and growth as opposed to others. I have to be first in the order of getting things right. I have to work to remove the log from my eye as it is certainly in the way of clarity when it comes to “knowing” what is “right” for others. If I am not right how can I know what is right for you.

My walk with Christ is ongoing and will lead to many realizations. I have to concern myself with getting right and guiding others to Christ so they can be led by Him to get right. I am not the one to “know”, I can only guide you to the one who does, JESUS. I am a disciple or student of Christ, not the teacher and certainly not Him. I have my own struggle and opportunities and that is where my focus should be. I gotta get right before I judge anyone on where they are.

How are you viewing others? Are you telling them what is what? What if you were to concern yourself with you first and allow the judgment of other to our teacher, Jesus Christ?

A Disciple Can Only Be Like His Teacher

No matter how we count it, Jesus is bigger than we are. He endured more and will always be the example of who we are to be.

“3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” – Hebrews 12:3 (ESV)

The above verse is a reference one as pertains to where I was led this morning in study of the word “disciple”, Matthew 10. Jesus is sending the twelve out and is letting them know that they will be persecuted in their work. Their journey and work are not going to be easy and they should stick together and rely on their teachings and the LORD to get them through. Jesus also reminds them that they are only like Him, but not Him and certainly not greater than He.

“24A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.” – Matthew 10:24-25a (ESV)

This should serve as a reminder to us that no matter how “big” or important we may be or get to, Jesus is bigger than we, and He will always be our teacher. We can only work to be like Him and not greater than Him.

I have to remember that Jesus came to save us all and He endured unspeakable persecution to the point of death, just for existing as who He was. No matter the extent of the work that I do, I will always be the disciple of Christ. Even as I take on the task of being a discipler, I will still only be a disciple myself. Jesus will always be bigger and more than I.

What is your thoughts on who you are in relation to Jesus? Do you feel that you will somehow reach heights greater than He? What if you were to see that Jesus is bigger and better and that no matter how “big” we may get, He will always be bigger and better than we?