34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
It is evidence of our Lord’s great love and mercy to have compassion on a bunch of hard hearted and stupid sheep who He knew wouldn’t do what He told them to do. One of God’s character traits is that He has compassion on stupid, stony hearted people. Here is something of note. Jesus condemns the religious leaders but regards the people as simple sheep who need a shepherd. The world needs to be taught this Book, this Bible. They are in darkness and they don’t have a clue what to do. Every week Christians are hearing the same message; how to be saved, that they must attend church, and that they must give money to the church. They aren’t growing because they aren’t being fed. They have to learn how to feed themselves and bring others to a knowledge of the truth.
Jesus called His disciples to carry on this mission of teaching men what He had taught those disciples.
Matthew 28:16 ¶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This command is not based on a 1-2-3 repeat after me kind of phony conversion experience. This is based on people being taught the word of God by the Word of God and by those whom He has appointed. We now have a perfect Bible, the word of God on paper that we can read every day, praying for light and instruction from the Holy Spirit of God. We need to teach people how to read it; to let it define itself where possible, to use the mechanisms provided in it such as parallel phrasing and word replacement in corresponding verses, the italicized words that reflect words missing in Hebrew but present in Greek or vice versa and in English, too. We need to show people how if they read God’s book faithfully and pray without ceasing that God will change them and their lives. You probably won’t get taller or better looking or more intelligent and you might not get more money but you and your circumstances will change. So will your attitude toward them.
Christians need this book and they need it every day. The world tends to close in on every generation of Christians. Some simply run the other way. Others think that being busy about worldly things but with a “Christian” slant will change things. But if you want to have a victorious life over sin, despair, and bitterness then you must submit your mind to that Book every day. Let the Holy Spirit teach you and then you teach others.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Will you still have arguments with your spouse? Most likely. When you have the personality of a snapping turtle and hang on to every slight until God has to pry your jaws off of it you will still have issues.
Will you still have problems with money? Probably. God says that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10) and that you can’t serve money and Him at the same time (Luke 16:13).
Will people still disappoint you, insult you, annoy you, and disgust you? Sure. Why should you be any better off than God Himself. Just see Romans 3:23 and 5:12.
But, you will change. You will be changed. You will be a different person when the Bible teaches you. You will be molded and shaken and stirred and rearranged by the words of God. Now, I’m not talking about reading “Our Daily Bread” or a verse over coffee in the morning as you hurry to work. I’m talking about reading the Bible from cover to cover, just reading. Bible study is great but it is a totally different thing. Read the Bible every day and let God speak to you through it while you speak to Him in prayer.
As Jesus Christ was here in body to teach the lost sheep of the house of Israel then, so we now have His words in His Bible and the Holy Spirit to teach us. Christians who don’t read the Bible or know it are ignorant and in need of the knowledge it gives. Know it like the back of your hand, be delighted and instructed by it every day, commune with your Creator through its pages, and let His light shine into your life examining your motives and desires and making things that you see dimly now be exposed to your mind’s understanding.
Then, show others how. Teach.
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