David Jeremiah (December 8, 2024) Daily Devotional: The Greatest Teacher.
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). - John 20:16
Recommended Reading: Matthew 23:1-8 - WOE TO THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES
23 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
Pedagogue (teacher) comes from Greek paidagogos—a slave (tutor) who accompanied a child to school. There are two great teachers in the Bible: Solomon in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament. Solomon’s proverbs and Jesus’ parables were similar in that they illustrated deep truths with simple, everyday examples.
But they differed in this way: Unlike Jesus, Solomon didn’t always practice what he taught. We know that Solomon’s priorities were skewed as he pursued worldly temptations, whereas Jesus was the living example of the values and priorities of the Kingdom of God. “Teacher” in Jesus’ day was another word for rabbi, one who was a teacher of the law—like Gamaliel who was the teacher of Saul of Tarsus (who became the apostle Paul) and who was “held in respect by all the people” (Acts 5:34; 22:3). But not even Gamaliel taught with the same authority as Jesus—people “were astonished at His teaching” (Luke 4:32).
Jesus tutored and taught His disciples for three years and sent His Spirit to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). Sit at His feet daily to learn from His teachings (Luke 10:39).
A disciple is a person who learns to live the life his teacher lives. - Juan Carlos Ortiz
