LEARN FROM ME -- Monday:
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:29)
It is tragic that significant proportions of the religious world reject this invitation: "Learn from Me" (NKJV). "Learn of Me" (KJV) does not mean "learn ABOUT Me," but "learn FROM me." In this case the word "of" refers to the Source of learning, not the Subject of learning. It is an invitation for Christ to be your Teacher. In fact, that is why the Father gave us to Christ. The heavenly agenda was revealed on the mount of transfiguration. "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM" (Matt 17:5). Jesus is the divine Spokesman to the human race! What God has to say to us is said through Him. "God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us BY HIS SON, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds" (Heb 1:1-2).
The objective of these words is not the development of a theological position, but the maturation of faith and expectation. Sensitivity to the Person of Christ is essential to our instruction.
JESUS USES MEANS
Jesus uses means to instruct us, yet He Himself remains the Divinely appointed Instructor. He teaches us through the Scriptures and our recollection of them. Life's circumstances are transformed into a heavenly classroom, managed and made profitable by the teaching Jesus! The Holy Spirit is employed by the Savior in our instruction, bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God (Rom 8:16). He also teaches us through chastening, blessing, and our affection – but He Himself teaches us. He does so because He is "meek and lowly in heart", i.e., He is accessible to us, and can be approached by us without fear.
BEHOLD THE MEEK ONE!
Jesus brings salvation: "Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass" (Mat 21:5). This is a reference to Zechariah's prophecy. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and HAVING SALVATION; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass" (Zech 9:9). The point of this prophecy is not a triumphal procession, although that is involved. The human race did not need a spectacle, but a Savior! The sight of a King riding a "colt, the foal of a donkey" had salvational significance and implications. Jesus humbled Himself in order to bring us salvation! That is why He is called "meek and lowly in heart."
The people who saw Jesus were enthralled with Him, yet missed what He was bringing to them. "He is just, and having salvation." Who would ever have conceived the merging of justice and salvation! The two seem antithetical to one another – and ordinarily they are. However, the meekness of Christ has enabled them to come together. As it is written, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psa 85:10). Under the Law, mercy and truth could NOT meet together. Nor, indeed, could righteousness and peace kiss each other. But now, since Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient, these divine qualities have joined together for our salvation. This condition is what makes Jesus "the Way" to God. It is what enables Jesus to teach us, showing us the Father, the Scriptures, and the inheritance that awaits us.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a Teacher that is approachable.