Who Is Jesus? A Holy Week Reading PlanНамуна

Day 1: Jesus The Teacher

As a teacher, Jesus' message was pretty radical even by today's standards. He spoke out against unhealthy social norms, overbearing religious leaders, and oppressive authorities. The ability to do that through stories and messages that cut to a deeper level is, objectively, the mark of a powerful teacher. Here is an example of how Jesus did this:

During the last week of His life, Jesus told the story of a master who entrusted three of his servants with differing amounts of money. The first received five bags of silver, the second received two bags of silver, and the third received one bag of silver. The master left on a trip and when he returned he asked the servants to give an account of how they used the money.

The first servant had invested his five bags and turned them into ten. The second servant had invested his two bags and turned them into four. The last servant had buried his one bag of silver and returned it to the master saying, “At least I didn’t lose it.” The master praised the first two servants and responded in anger to the third.

At first glance, it seems unfair that the master would be angry with the third servant. After all, he was only given one bag of silver while the other two received more! However, Jesus was teaching us that comparison has no place in the kingdom of God. How often do we look at what other people have – whether it be skills, possessions, or status, and wish that we had the same?

Jesus is saying that it doesn’t matter how much we’ve been given. What matters is what we do with what we’ve been given. What a freeing concept! There is no need to compare ourselves to others. God has made each of us uniquely and our only responsibility is to be good stewards of the skills, talents, and possessions that He has given to us. No matter what you believe about Jesus, this is an objectively powerful teaching!

Jesus understood life at the deepest level and His teachings lead us to good things. As we reflect on the last week of his life, it is encouraging to find someone who understood the most complex parts of humanity and taught with unmatched wisdom. There is a reason why His life and teachings are remembered and debated about 2,000 years after His time on earth. He was one of the most powerful teachers to have ever lived!

Reflection/Prayer

Use the guided prayer video below to reflect on today’s reading.