Church devotions: The Gift of Teachers - Mark 1:22

Mark 1:22       The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 

I love teaching the Faith and I am proud to be called a ‘teaching elder.’ I’m told that it’s one of my strengths and I appreciate the people who are willing to allow me to lead Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and retreats both in and outside the congregation. I am also humbled by the many people around the world who use my studies online, read these devotions, and buy my books. Teaching the Faith is a privilege and I thank God for each opportunity that He gives me to do this.

I also admire teachers in our schools and colleges. They are often overworked and underpaid for what they do. For each generation to be successful, it needs dedicated teachers. For each profession to progress, it relies upon the research and imagination, hard work and determination of its teachers. To me, there is no greater profession in the world than that of teaching, because all that we accomplish depends upon who teaches us and what we are taught.

Jesus was an amazing teacher. His theological insights and grasp of God made Him exceptional in the eyes of His community. He taught with absolute authority because He was absolutely confident about who He was and what God wanted Him to accomplish. I would love to have sat at His feet to listen to Him tell stories, give lessons, and answer questions. It must have been astounding.

Christ’s teaching has survived two thousand years and His insights are still relevant to our lives today. Billions of people on Earth are affected by His life, His ministry, and His teaching. We have been blessed with an amazing Teacher in our lives and His words will lead us back to God’s kingdom. The challenge that we have today is this: how can we share what we have been taught by Christ?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we thank You for the teachers and professors, lecturers and speakers who have taught us many things and through whose wisdom and dedication, we can accomplish much with our lives. We thank You also for the teaching of the Church which carries on Your ministry and mission in the world today. And we praise You for being the Greatest Teacher in our lives and that one day we will get to thank You personally, face to face. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the teaching elder at Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s Lent Cards for the Church kids at Erin. It’s a depiction of Christ carrying the cross, with the words “Take up your cross and follow Me” at the bottom. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6950845059_375b3a1ca5_b.jpg