June 5, 2019 -- Mark 11:21 -- Jesus: Rabbi and Teacher

And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

Mark 11:21 ESV

And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher…”

Mark 12:18-19a

In the Gospel of Mark Jesus is called “Teacher” twelve times and “Rabbi” three times. Rabbi means “my teacher” or “my master”. The second brief quotation from Mark the religious leaders are actually using the title “Teacher” in a mocking way. They are seeking to somehow discredit Jesus. At issue in both texts is the authority of Jesus—His right to instruct and the obligation of His people to hear and obey His instruction. Parents and preachers, it is critical that you tell those in your care of the importance of this title for Jesus. He is not just some professor in an ocean of learning. He is not just a voice telling about theology with no relevance for other parts of our life. Jesus is The Teacher, He is Rabbi, My Master Teacher. What He teaches is relevant in every area of our lives as He is Master over all.

Whatever it is that grabs your interest, that is what you want the most information about. If you love bodybuilding you’ll consult the Canadian Physical Alliance (CPA) as the official governing group. Of course, you can find many videos on all kinds of websites and all kinds of gurus proclaiming why they are more worthy teachers and instructors. In the clamour of all these competing claims, how do you choose which is the right one to follow? You look at their credentials. You look at their results. You see the athletes they produce and know whether or not this group is worthy.

Is Jesus worthy to be The Teacher—Our Rabbi? His credentials: He came from the Father full of grace and truth. What He prophesied has come to pass: He would suffer, be put to death [and this voluntarily on His part], He is the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world, He would rise from the dead. Who can predict such a thing and be taken seriously as The Teacher unless what He prophesied did actually take place. The resurrection of Jesus is very well-proven in history. Based on His already-fulfilled prophecies, believers can be assured His promise that He will return to judge the living and the dead will be fulfilled as well.

If you are a bodybuilder, it is interesting to learn about food, what to eat and what not to eat, exercise and sleep, training programs and what regimes are detrimental to the body. There is a particular sphere where the CPA, or whatever other group you choose, is instructive and helpful. However, the CPA—or any other group—can not teach you, with any authority and credibility about God, life and death, and what happens to those who have not believed.

Jesus, as The Teacher, My Rabbi, has the authority to instruct us in every area of our lives. His instruction is accompanied by the Spirit Who gives us discernment to show us what is worthy and what is counterfeit. We are told that the devil “disguises himself as an angel of light” (II Corinthians 11:13). It can be very difficult for ordinary people to distinguish between what is honourable and what comes from God Who is Truth versus what is counterfeit brought by the Father of Lies who is masquerading as an angel of light.

Jesus has the right to be The Teacher because we are made in His image.

Jesus has the right to be Our Rabbi because the Bible bears witness: He is full of grace and Truth.

Jesus claims us, ruined sinners, and offers abundant life free from the strangling lies of Satan.

In a world filled with discordant, rebellious voices Jesus is the Teacher and Our Rabbi Who alone brings us to the Father of mercy where we find rest for our souls.

There is no neutral ground. “Science” or public schools, politics and mathematics, every area of learning, from science to sociology, economics to art, drama and geology, all the world teaches comes with the rebelliousness of hearts and minds raging against the Truth. Believers in Jesus Christ find in Him our authoritative Teacher and our Master Who is worthy of all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Believers in Jesus need to sift the messages and learning of the world through the sieve of Jesus’ authoritative teaching. He alone has the right to instruct us. He alone has the right to lead us to the Father.

Jesus, Rabbi, lead us in the way everlasting. By the Word and gift of Your Spirit within us, let Your holy discernment keep us from stumbling in the ways of this rebellious world so that our feet will walk in Your pathway of Truth. Prepare us to endure mocking and hardship so that we will guard and obey all that is worthy and excellent—knowing what You taught so long ago: no student is greater than his Master—since You endured suffering, we as Your students will also suffer for what is right and true. By such suffering and perseverance, purify us and cause us to be made holy to the glory of our Father in heaven. Amen.