As Usual, He Taught Them
Jesus, among many things, was a teacher.
Mark 10:1-22
We have all sorts of teachers in our lives. Our parents or those who raised us, school teachers, perhaps Sunday School teachers/pastors, neighbors, etc. Jesus was a teacher. He was a teacher by default (he spoke about things). But we believe he was also a Jewish teacher (“rabbi”). Whether or not he had some kind of official placement among the teaching order or was regarded by his followers to be a rabbi simply by the nature of what he did, we’re not completely sure.
But one of our three stories before us today - of the young man with many possessions - seems to demonstrate that he was well-known as a teacher/rabbi.
Jesus was, of course, not just a teacher. But, he was indeed a teacher. We can read the gospels with such eyes, searching for knowledge and wisdom. Jesus, of course, does not only impart knowledge and wisdom. But impart knowledge and wisdom, he does.
Thanks be to God.
Mark 10:1-22
Jesus left that place and went beyond the Jordan and into the region of Judea. Crowds gathered around him again and, as usual, he taught them. Some Pharisees came and, trying to test him, they asked, “Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife?”
Jesus answered, “What did Moses command you?”
They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a divorce certificate and to divorce his wife.”
Jesus said to them, “He wrote this commandment for you because of your unyielding hearts. At the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. Because of this, a man should leave his father and mother and be joined together with his wife, and the two will be one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, humans must not pull apart what God has put together.”
Inside the house, the disciples asked him again about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if a wife divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
People were bringing children to Jesus so that he would bless them. But the disciples scolded them. When Jesus saw this, he grew angry and said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.” Then he hugged the children and blessed them.
As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?”
Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God. You know the commandments: Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Don’t cheat. Honor your father and mother.”
“Teacher,” he responded, “I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy.”
Jesus looked at him carefully and loved him. He said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” But the man was dismayed at this statement and went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
Prayer
God,
As I begin another new day, help me to learn. I’ve earned a degree or two, and they took some effort. Even so, spending so much time at institutions of learning has actually taught me that there is much knowledge to be gained, but often, wisdom is lacking.
So open my mind to your wisdom and attune my spirit to your guidance.
Help me, like Jesus, to both teach and learn, to challenge and to be challenged, to embrace your truth with humility and to walk in the path of righteousness.
May I, with childlike faith, enter into your kingdom, reflecting your love, in all that is said and done.
Give me the courage and compassion to let go of attachment to possession and to follow you wholeheartedly, knowing true treasure lies in you alone.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.