Back to School

Many children will be returning to school - or starting for the first time - in the next few days. After a rather wet 'summer', it is ironic how nice the weather has become in the last week or so. Better dry and warm, even for school days, than cold and wet!

People of all ages will also be expecting to start new courses, whether for their own interest, such as the thousands of older people who have enrolled as U3A students, or those seeking qualifications to help them find employment.

And in the background, education remains in the news, as Michael Gove and others press for changes which may or may not be helpful.

As well as formal or informal education, both the Olympic and Paralympic Games have inspired people of all ages to take exercise more seriously.And that is a learning experience as well.

Now, of course, Jesus was a great teacher, and his followers were called disciples from the very start. A disciple is one who learns, and Jesus made it quite clear that all of us who profess to be Christians should be learning from him daily, so that our lives are shaped to be like his. Some of his most demanding words are these. ' “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!' (Matthew 10.24-25)

What Jesus is looking for in his students is a willingness to become like Him. He doesn't want students who are out to impress others with their cleverness. Rather, humble and sacrificial service is the measure of a good student. ' Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  (Mark 10.43-45)

On the night of his own betrayal, arrest and first trial, Jesus is still teaching his disciples, by word and deed. After washing their feet, he tells them, ' You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.' (John 13.13-17)
I trust that all of us will learn to be good students, as we follow our Lord & Master, whatever it costs. 

Best wishes,

Richard