WE NEED TEACHERS

Why do I need a teacher? I can read the Bible on my own. This is true. However, God purposely supplied the Church with teachers and for a good reason (Ephesians 4:11-14).

It has been correctly argued that in order to understand any single verse, we need the rest of the verses to understand it correctly. Therefore, Scripture instructs us to mediate on God’s Words day and night (Psalm 1). You might think, “Does this mean that I need to master the entirety of the Scriptures to even understand just one part? To some degree. Let me use an example to illustrate this. Jesus taught:

·       “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26)

Hate our parents and ourselves? It might seem that the Bible is hopelessly confused. After all, according to the Ten Commandments, we know that we are supposed to honor our parents and not hate them. However, this problem is easily resolved once we are aware of all of Jesus’ teachings. Elsewhere, he had taught:

·       “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37)

Here, we find that serving Jesus is a matter of priorities. This means that Jesus has to be first in our lives, even above our parents and ourselves:

·       “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

It might sound self-defeating to not seek our own welfare first. However, Jesus promised that if we put God ahead of ourselves, He will take care of all of our needs.

Even the context of Luke 14:26 enables us to understand that “hating” our parents is a matter of putting God first. Jesus then taught that if we come to God, we have to understand that He must be our Master for the long haul. Jesus used several examples to illustrate this principle. Through the example of building a house, Jesus illustrated that the builder would be foolish if he just built the foundation and decided to not complete it. Jesus applied this example to following Him:

·       “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33)

“Renounce all?” Our parents? Our children? Our clothing? Of course not! However, these concerns have to be secondary. This is what it means to “renounce all.” If we are to build a house, we have to decide beforehand to carry it out unto completion. Likewise, if we decide to follow Jesus, we have to continue until the end. Nothing must get in our way. He finally likens turning away from Him to salt losing its saltiness:

·       “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away...” (Luke 14:34-35)

Salt that has lost its saltiness is like a foundation of a house which has been abandoned. It is useless. However, if Jesus remains #1 in our lives, we will not lose our saltiness.

Well, now the teachings seem to fit together, until someone charges that, “Your God is an egomaniac. He demands you serve and praise Him.” How do you answer this challenge? Perhaps you need to return to your teacher, who might demonstrate that praise is a gift from God and a great privilege:

·       …to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3)

Praise is also an appropriate response to the many good things He has done for us and a comfort when life becomes an unbearable burden.

It is a joy to see how the pieces of the puzzle of Scripture fit together, enabling us to confidently see the big picture. Paul therefore prayed:

·       that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. (Colossians 2:2-4)

Understanding Scripture is a treasure trove of wisdom and understanding. It is the assurance of our heart and mind and a light unto our feet.