2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Genesis 31:17-32:12 ESV, Matthew 10:24-11:6 ESV, Psalm 13:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 3:16-18 ESV
Daily Verse: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” (Matthew 10:24 ESV)
MATHETES (3101): “A learner (from manthano, “to learn,” indicating thought accompanied by an endeavor). Of all who manifest that they are His “disciples” by abiding in His Word. A “disciple” was not only a pupil but an adherent; hence, they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher.”[i]
Imitate the Teacher.
Becoming a disciple means imitating the teacher. Doing what others do helps us learn and grow.
On vacation in Florida, I watched a father teach his son to fish with a net. Dad carefully spread the small, round meshwork on the boards of the dock. Then, picking the net up quickly, he spun it into the water. The circular web landed on top of the water with grace, sinking beneath the surface. After several demonstrations, the son did his best to imitate his father. The young boy’s first attempts failed, obviously a skill that needs practice. But the more the lad tried, the better he did.
Keep practicing.
Loving people like Jesus requires practice. For some, forgiving others comes more naturally than it does for others. Letting go of past offenses challenges me, but the more I follow Jesus, the better I become at forgiving. As I grow in Christ, I recognize, unforgiveness hurts me more than anyone else. When we refuse to forgive others, we create negative thoughts in our minds, which keep us from living life to the fullest.
But if we imitate Christ, who forgave us our sins, we must forgive others. One prayer I pray, “Lord, help me see them through Your eyes.” Lifting those words to God helps me get out of my perspective and into God’s. Jesus died for everyone, His gesture of love for a sinful world.
Our relationship with Jesus starts with forgiveness. Laying our sins at His feet, Jesus answers with grace. Imitating Christ means leading with love.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 155) Thomas Nelson
