Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Dear Easter Friends,
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Learning something is hard, especially when trying to learn it on our own. I’m glad I had teachers who helped me learn my ABCs, math and science, and the arts. And that they also helped me learn to dig into the basics to understand why things worked the way they did. They’ve helped me throughout my life. I thank Mrs. Wong, Mrs. Fetzger, Mr. Simpson, and Mr. Nido – to name a few of the schoolteachers I had. Next time you figure something out – thank a teacher for helping you develop the gifts God has given you.
While the 3 Rs, “readin’, ritin’, and ‘rithmetic”, are important, the most important subject is God’s word. Here we hear how to live our lives in this world – and how to live in a way that guarantees eternal life. But, to understand God’s word we need good teachers. We see one of these teachers in Acts 8:26-40. An official in Queen Candace’s court was trying to figure out the prophet Isaiah. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Philip asked if he understood what he was reading. The official said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” So, Philip taught him the good news about Jesus. Because of Philip’s teaching, the official started understanding God’s word and how his eternal life depended on faith in Jesus. He told Philip, “Here’s water! Baptize me!” So, Philip did – by the power of the Spirit, the man was saved for eternity by the most important knowledge of all, that Jesus came to save Him from Satan, sin, and eternal death.
God calls on us to teach others about Jesus through our words and deeds. He also encourages us to turn to His word for guidance when we’re unsure of something. We’re both teachers and students of His word. Let us all continue to learn from God while also teaching others that all might come to believe and trust in God’s promises of forgiveness and eternal life through His Son, Jesus.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
In the Risen Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim