Dana's Christian Journey

At least four times over the years I’ve had the chance to lead a session at the Georgia Independent School Association annual conference. This past week my topic was Jesus the Master Teacher.

Having just witnessed twenty-five teachers being honored as ‘master teachers’ in the opening main assembly, I asked the group to name some characteristics of a ‘master teacher.’ After writing suggestions on the white board, I asked if Jesus demonstrated these qualities while He was on earth.

We had a great discussion. Every time I’ve led such a group, I am encouraged by how many teachers look to Jesus for wisdom and example. I asked participants to write on a card why they signed up for my session. One said she wanted “to better incorporate the love and knowledge of Christ within my classroom.”

Another wrote, “As a Christian teacher in a secular setting, I want to find more ways for Him to shine through me.” A coach replied, “Anytime I can discuss Jesus with someone, it is a great day!”

Here are the results of our discussion during the session. Of course this list is not exhaustive, but it is a good reminder.

JESUS – MASTER TEACHER

• Jesus was knowledgeable – He must have studied from youth as He often quoted Scripture; He taught about the Kingdom of God; He knew His Father and wanted others to know Him
• Jesus was a good communicator – whether large crowds or His 12 apostles or one-on-one, He communicated His message with authority
• Jesus was empathetic – He met people where they were; He was full of compassion
• Jesus was willing to learn – He often asked questions, sometimes already knowing the answer, sometimes seeking to understand; He was humble
• Jesus was flexible – Jesus interacted with individuals in ways that were needed; He answered His critics with wisdom; He was discerning
• Jesus was relational – He came to restore relationship between man and God; He gladly visited homes of ‘sinners’ and ‘religious’, He called His disciples ‘friends’
• Jesus was protective – He loved purely; He welcomed children and warned those who harmed ‘little ones’; He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep
• Jesus was engaging – He challenged people to believe; He praised faith; He used stories and other methods to cause people to think; He spoke truth in love even though He knew it would lead to His death

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as One who had authority, and not as the teachers of the law.” Matthew 7:28-29

Over the course of each school year, I show my seventh grade boys a movie filmed in 1999 called JESUS. In one scene, Mary Magdalene watched from a distance as Jesus rescued the woman caught in adultery from being stoned.

As Jesus and His group of disciples passed near where Mary was standing, He looked at her and asked: “Do you want to come with us?” “Where?” Mary replied. “Does it matter?” the Lord answered. “Yes,” she said, “I go where I want… I am free.” Looking directly into her eyes, Jesus said: “You’re not free… but you could be.” Hesitating as Jesus continued to walk, Mary called out: “That woman… You treated her as if she is worth something.” “So are you…” He replied. “Come, follow Me.”

Many have been intrigued with Mary from Magdala over the years. Though the Bible does not say, some have supposed she was a prostitute in Galilee. Scripture does reveal that Jesus cast seven demons out of her… and we know she did faithfully follow the Master.

Whatever Mary’s back story, I imagine her experiences were similar to those in our broken world: hidden abuse, poor choices, addiction, shame, loneliness, self-rejection… Our Savior does not shy away from such obstacles. He understands perfectly; He fears no evil; and He possesses all authority.

Knowing His purpose to seek and save the lost, Jesus possesses the pure heart of His Father. “I see you and I love you. I am the Answer to your self-doubt and self-loathing. I am the Way and I am choosing you to be Mine. Look into My eyes; listen to My voice; trust Me.”

Read afresh the Gospels and notice the Savior’s passion for people. He forgives; He heals; He delivers; He exposes the devil’s lies; He restores; He loves. Because of sin we’ve all been separated from the Lover of our souls, but Jesus reconciles us to God. “My Father is the One who created you, who loves you, and who has given His most precious gift to redeem you. Relinquish your pride and receive the good news. Believe in God; believe also in Me. I set captives free; I give eternal life. Come, follow Me.”

“You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” Acts 10:37-38

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” II Corinthians 5:14-21

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner’.”

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)

This salvation story began with a ‘look’. Then Jesus expressed the intent to visit an unpopular man, knowing full well He would be criticized… it had happened before.

At another tax collector’s house (Levi’s), the religious asked: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32)

Jesus ‘looked’ at His accusers too. Such critics were also in need of His fellowship so He spoke words intended to jolt them out of their false security. Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” (Luke 20:17-18)

When Jesus looks at me, I hope He sees one looking for Him. And I pray I’ll have the humility to receive His message and respond with joy… like Zacchaeus.

When I look at others, I want to see what Jesus sees: a man, woman, boy, or girl who God created and loves. Every person has a story… and every person needs our Savior.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (Acts 3:1-8)