Nougat 16

Are you familiar with the slogan, ’if you can read this thank a teacher!’? It’s a soft reminder of the powerful ways in which lives can be impacted by one who offers knowledge. Yet, many societies have denigrated teaching, making it a lower paid vocation. Having read today’s Holy Nougat, how do you feel about teaching, or being a teacher?

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT

“If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.” Romans 12:7 NLT

If we each receive our spiritual gifts for the benefit of the wider spiritual community, then one of the most profound gifts could be Teaching. We’re not talking about wrapping minds around theorems and declensions; or convincing a brain that Columbus, da Gama and others actually discovered places that were neither lost nor previously unknown. No, in this instance our reference is to explicating the mysteries of God’s Word and helping others to apply it to their lives.

Consider Jesus’ sermon on the mount of Olives (well, that’s where I imagine Him to be). His ‘sermon’, if one may call it a sermon, or at least the highlights last for three of our biblical chapters (Matthew 5-7). And for most of the time, Jesus comforted, challenged, and clarified the lengths, breadths, and depths of the Kingdom of Heaven and God’s criteria for access. When we recall that Jesus spoke to an exiled generation, who were trying to figure out the Lord’s song in their own land; we recognize that the teaching He offered was not only radical but life transforming.

He spoke to exiles IN their own country who could not fathom Why God’s judgement was so heavily upon them. A peoples whose lives had been so fractured by the variety of external rulers that rules became both religion and rebellion. Mark 6:9; and Matthew 9:36 both speak to Jesus’ compassion for those whose sense of religious belonging had been destroyed. His response? Jesus taught them; opening the ordinary people to a vast new world with a loving and compassionate God. He (re)introduced YHWH as parent and friend, not just a righteous judge.

A teaching anointing is thus one that places the Good News as central to that which is taught. This is not to suggest that the teacher’s every sentence is punctuated by a Bible reference or one of the names of God. No. It offers an opportunity for God’s revelation in the lives of those being taught, and in so doing, moves individuals to renewed hearts, minds and actions.

At times, the teaching anointing is so intense that one can’t help but note the impact of the teacher. When this happens and the teacher loses sight of the Source of their anointing, it’s problematic for the body of Christ. For that opens the door both to idolatry and false teachings. Unfortunately, it is far too common in our time, as many of us who ought to be teaching are shying away from God’s call.

The world is dying for want of people taking on the mantle assigned for them. Perhaps if we’re called to teach, let us teach to the glory of God.

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May all we seek be found in Christ