I thought I would be finished with this "God and . . ." series, but I found a few more examples of Jesus telling people to go and do something specific, so that means the series will continue at least another month. Who knows, I may find some additional examples after that. This week, we look at what Jesus said in response to criticism that He was spending way too much time with sinners and tax gatherers:
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:11-12, emphasis added).
Jesus was telling men who had made the study of God's word the work of their adult lives to go and meditate on a verse from Hosea because they did not really know what it meant. That should provide a warning to us as well who believe we are adherents to God's word and who have more resources available to study and understand God's word than any generation in history. Let's look more closely at our need to go and learn more.
THE MORE YOU KNOW
When I teach classes on preaching, I give my students this advice: "Whenever you approach a passage of Scripture, no matter how much you have studied it, no matter how much you think you know, you must approach it as if you know nothing at all."' Why do I teach this? I do so because when we are confident we see everything there is to see about a truth or a passage, we stop looking for more. We are confident, sometimes even smug, that we know all there is to know about it.
Jesus was talking to men who had memorized the verse He referenced. That had discussed and debated it, and had added much to their collective commentary about its implications for their lives as they served the Lord. They were so sure of their knowledge that they could not see how what Jesus was doing with sinners was in any way related to that verse from Hosea 6:6: "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
Jesus told the Pharisees that they had not "arrived," but were still students in need of study and enlightenment. They knew the Bible but they were missing out on what God was doing through Jesus public ministry. He is saying the same thing to us today.
GO AND LEARN
- If you think you know it all about who you are or what God wants you to do, you need to go and learn more.
- If you think you know all there is to know about another person and their capabilities, you need to go and learn more.
- If you think you know all there is to know about a Bible story or passage you have studied regularly and taught on repeatedly, you need to go and learn more.
- If you think there is no need for you to learn new skills or gain new knowledge, that you can rely on what you have done in the past, you need to go and learn more.
- If you think you know the mind of God on politics, justice, mercy, theology, religion, or any other topic, you need to go and learn more.
- If you think you can comment on social media with absolute certainty about any matter in order to correct or lecture someone else to turn them from the error of their ways, you need to go and learn more.
Learning is not something we do for a certain period of life; it is a lifelong pursuit. We are always in need of more wisdom and knowledge so we can be more effective for Him and less dependent on our past, our position, our title, or even our insight. This is why I went back to school when I was 57 years of age. This is why I listen to and read as many books as possible. This is why I listen when people give me feedback. I want to "go and learn," and that is my motto until I die or run out of strength.
Jesus told those who thought they "owned" God that they needed to go and meditate on one verse to find out what it meant. I know I need to do that when I write, preach, or teach. I invite you to join me so that together we can continue to grow and develop to be the masters of our purpose, effective for Him while always striving for more and better. Have a blessed week.
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AUTHOR'S RECEPTION: As you know, I have started a publishing company called Urban Press. I am hosting a reception for all our Urban Press authors on Saturday, September 8, from 3 to 5 PM in Pittsburgh where I live. I am inviting anyone who wants to publish and be an author to come and meet the UP authors. If you are interested in coming to learn more about publishing your creative work, write me at [email protected] and I will forward you the necessary information.
KENYA TRIP: I am sponsoring a tour to Kenya from February 14-24, 2019. The flier, FAQ sheet, and application are below. Study it and then take the step to go! This trip is shorter, less expensive, and more focused than any of my trips in the past. Come benefit from my experience that will provide a trip you will never forget.
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