Good Teachers
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them." (Matthew 23:1-4)
No matter the age of the students, teaching is challenging. Jesus knew this better than anyone. As he endeavored to teach his faithful followers, casual listeners, and antagonistic questioners, Jesus showed incredible patience. Yet, he was extremely blunt when he criticized those who were supposed to teach God's way but were not, themselves, practicing what they preached while simultaneously placing impossible burdens of perfection on others. Jesus was not expecting perfection from those leaders, but mercy and compassion. Jesus saw beneath the veneer of arrogant pride, and their demands for recognition, to hearts that were calloused and loveless. Still, Jesus did not dismiss the teachings of those leaders. In fact, he told the people to do what they said, since they were teaching the law as God had given it to Moses. However, Jesus said not to imitate the behavior of the leaders who
lacked integrity and humility.
Perhaps if those teachers had remembered that they were also students, that they were not yet all that God called them to be, they would have had less time to stand in judgment of the people they were supposed to lead. Perhaps if they had realized their own need for grace and mercy, they would have readily given it to others. Perhaps if they had remembered that their positions, gifts, and abilities were evidence of God's goodness rather than their own, they would have spoken and acted with humility and care. Perhaps they are teaching us still. May God help us to lead, teach, and serve like Jesus did - with humility, integrity, and love.
God's kingdom come, God's will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
3 O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. (Psalm 43:3-5)
Enjoy this timeless hymn.
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