It’s that time of year when teachers are beginning to prepare their classrooms. I love teachers. I know three things about teachers. First, teachers have the second most important and difficult job in society. (The first? Parenting).
Second, teachers don’t get paid what they are worth. Many begin teaching in debt with student loans from the years of college required and their beginning salary is a mere pittance. They usually must set up their classrooms out of their own pockets and often supply what students need from their own resources.
The third thing I know about teachers is that they love to teach. They must, otherwise they’d take their education and find much better paying jobs. Yes, I love teachers. I think they should get THE BIG bucks.
Jesus was a great teacher. He, the Son of God, came for a specific purpose, to bridge the gap caused when mankind sinned and rebelled against its Creator. He died and rose to save us. But Jesus also loved to teach. How often the Gospels recount, “And seeing the multitudes …. He opened His mouth and taught them.” [Matt 5:1-2]
Not only did Jesus teach, but He also passed the job of teaching on to His disciples, to us. “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” [Matthew 28:18-20 NLT]
Father, give us the heart of a teacher so that we might teach others of the love You have for us, the salvation that is available, and the duty of a grateful heart. Amen&Amen