In Matthew 23, Jesus Christ exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law. He heaps seven woes (judgements) on them and instructs the ordinary people to: "...be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."
Because..
"They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them."
However, his solution to that wrong was not to discount Scripture teaching but rather to send teachers after his own heart:
"So I tell you this [For this reason]: I am sending to you prophets and wise men (sages) and ·teachers [scribes; experts in the law]. (Matthew 23:34a EXB)
Jesus sent inspired and knowledgeable disciples to combat the wrong. In our day, he has done the same. He has appointed men and women as scribes, prophets and Pastors/teachers to teach sound doctrine. People who will boldly teach the truth according to the scriptures and not according to popular doctrine, personal beliefs or mere human traditions.
Now to you prophets and teachers who are wise and know the Scriptures, it's time to teach God's word in spirit and truth. This is your time.
I heard the Lord say:
Speed. Speed. Speed.
I hear God's speed being infused into the assigned. [We are all assigned to spread the message of Jesus but] the under-shepherds, scribes and teachers of God's word are being held accountable for the correct teaching of the word - for bringing Israel (the Church of Jesus) to the knowledge of God's word.
You are empowered to understand.
You are empowered to receive insight. You are empowered to reveal Jesus to his people through the scriptures.
Die to self. Die to relying only on what you knew previously.
Die to your flesh, individual leanings and desires. The light of Christ is being switched on in you. You will begin to see things in the Scriptures that unveil the truth of God's person, will and power, embrace them. Christ will lead you to the needed cross-checks with other scriptures and other teachers to confirm the truths he is showing you.
Preach, teach and share them with boldness. Make Jesus known to His people and His world. Make his Truth famous. Actually, all you need to do is to faithfully share what he reveals to you. The Holy spirit is set and prepared to publish it as far and wide as God the Father desires. So that by his mighty proofs, the word of the Lord will spread widely and grow in power. Acts 19:20
The responsibility is on you but this is not something to be perturbed about. Why? With that responsibility comes the supply of His power, ability, speed, resources and protection to cause you and your teams to accomplish the task he has given you.
Yes, in the the later part of Matthew 23:34, Jesus said that His own (righteous) teachers and scribes will be persecuted and chased but do not be put off.
Strive for the mastery. Maintain your focus. Run your race, fulfil His call.
The Master waits.... the Master waits for the knowledge of the glory of Yahweh to fill the earth as the waters cover the sea... Then shall the end shall come.
#everymanabiblestudent #thegoodshepherd #jesusatthecenter #onechurch #onefaith #onebaptism #oneLord #teachers #scribes
''Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45 NIV
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the Truth and turn aside to myths."
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14 NIV
Comments