Teacher of Truth
Tuesday: Day of Controversy and Teaching
READ: (Matt. 21:23-24:51, Mark 11:27-13:37)
For the record, I have a whole new appreciation for school teachers and homeschooling parents. The COVID-19 directive for students to stay at home and continue their learning online brings a whole new challenge for many families,ours included. It’s one thing for a child to listen and obey their parents, but now children must listen and follow their parents as substitute school teachers. We all know how most kids view substitute teachers!
Yesterday, we talked about how Jesus “cleaned house” the Monday following Palm Sunday. Yet, that wasn’t enough, because Jesus returned back to the temple courts on Tuesday to teach His followers (and the crowds listening in). But the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, who were also present, refused to accept Jesus’ teaching and began to question His authority.
In Mark, chapters 11-13, the teachers of the law started looking for a way to accuse Jesus and justify condemning Him to death. Topics such as paying taxes to Caesar, marriage at the resurrection, and the greatest commandment occupied the truth lesson that day. But Jesus cut right to the heart of their rejection of the truth, saying, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Mark 12:38-40).
Yet, less than three days later, while facing crucifixion, Jesus stood before Pilate questioning why His own people would not listen to Him. Jesus responded saying, “In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me,” to which Pilate retorted, “what is truth?” Little did Pilate know he was actually standing before the very essence, incarnation, and objective presence of truth. (John 18:37-38).
We must choose what we do with who Jesus is and what He says, for He declares, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6) and “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32).
READ: (Matt. 21:23-24:51, Mark 11:27-13:37)
For the record, I have a whole new appreciation for school teachers and homeschooling parents. The COVID-19 directive for students to stay at home and continue their learning online brings a whole new challenge for many families,ours included. It’s one thing for a child to listen and obey their parents, but now children must listen and follow their parents as substitute school teachers. We all know how most kids view substitute teachers!
Yesterday, we talked about how Jesus “cleaned house” the Monday following Palm Sunday. Yet, that wasn’t enough, because Jesus returned back to the temple courts on Tuesday to teach His followers (and the crowds listening in). But the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, who were also present, refused to accept Jesus’ teaching and began to question His authority.
In Mark, chapters 11-13, the teachers of the law started looking for a way to accuse Jesus and justify condemning Him to death. Topics such as paying taxes to Caesar, marriage at the resurrection, and the greatest commandment occupied the truth lesson that day. But Jesus cut right to the heart of their rejection of the truth, saying, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Mark 12:38-40).
Yet, less than three days later, while facing crucifixion, Jesus stood before Pilate questioning why His own people would not listen to Him. Jesus responded saying, “In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me,” to which Pilate retorted, “what is truth?” Little did Pilate know he was actually standing before the very essence, incarnation, and objective presence of truth. (John 18:37-38).
We must choose what we do with who Jesus is and what He says, for He declares, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6) and “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32).
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