For Such A Time as This – May 26, 2021 – Val Kline

To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,
 
Joys and Concerns
If you have a joy or concern you would like us to share and pray about, please call, text, or email it to me.  If you would like it included in our Sunday Worship sharing and prayer time, please share it with Pastor Bill that week by Thursday evening. 
 
See this Saturday’s “Weekly Update” email for any new prayer concerns.
 
Thank You:
To all who call others to check in on them and to share our emails and devotions.
 
Today’s Devotion:
“Compelling Vision” is our denomination's effort to identify a shared vision that can foster unity in the midst of great diversity and dividing differences.  A thirteen session Bible Study has been developed to undergird this statement.  We are using pieces of the Bible Study in our weekly devotion email.
 
Today’s reflection was written by Val Kline, who serves as pastor of the Pleasant Chapel Church of the Brethren. A graduate of Manchester College and the Education for Shared Ministry program, Val enjoys serving with the district youth cabinet, volunteering at camp, and photography (and posting to social media)!
 
Shalom,
Dennis

Compelling Visions Statement
Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.
 
Session 8 – Jesus Christ, Our Teacher
How do we understand Jesus as Teacher?
 
Scriptures - Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 13:13-16
 
Reflection – Val Kline
Who was your favorite teacher? Maybe it was a teacher who stretched you and expected the best from you, one who encouraged you and made you feel important, or one that you highly respected and that made you want to do your best.
 
Countless lives have been impacted by teachers. David Jeremiah writes, “Those who teach share an honorable profession, because they are following in the footsteps of Jesus, the Master Teacher. Did you know that he was most often addressed not as Jesus or Christ or Lord, but by his title of Teacher? This was the word the multitudes used. This was how the disciples referred to him. Jesus himself used the term when he said, ‘You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am’ (John 13:13)” (73).
 
Jesus taught truth because he is truth (John 14:6). His teachings amazed people. “When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard” (Matthew 7:28-29 The Message).
 
Through his words and actions, Jesus taught us about loving God, each other, the church, and our enemies. He taught us about rejoicing, grace, generosity, forgiveness, and praying. He taught us about counting well the cost of discipleship, letting our lights shine, going to the ends of the earth in his name, and servanthood.
 
When he knew that his hour had come to depart from this world, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. Peter objected, not understanding why the one he knew to be the Christ, the one he believed would soon establish his everlasting kingdom on earth, would take on the form of the lowest slave and wash feet. No doubt, all of the disciples were surprised.
 
The disciples’ surprise must have continued when, after supper, Jesus took a loaf of bread, gave thanks, broke it and give it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:19-20).
 
The disciples were expecting a new era. They were expecting Jesus to begin his rule and reign as Messiah. They were not expecting to hear him talk about the blood of the new covenant. But, in that act, Jesus established the long-awaited new covenant that marked the beginning of a new age (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:10). With the new covenant came the promise of an internal power. “. . . I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33). In the new covenant, everyone could truly know the Lord through a personal relationship rather than one that was mediated through priests and prophets.
 
Jesus was the fulfillment of the new covenant Jeremiah envisioned long ago. Teaching by example, using everyday objects, and sharing stories about ordinary people, Jesus wrote the love of God on the hearts of those who followed him. That ministry continues as teachers, parents, preachers, and mentors bring Jesus’ teachings to life with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Understanding Jesus as Teacher is essential to a vision of the church as disciples who passionately share the transforming love and grace of God.
 
Sending
Jesus, you are our Lord and Teacher. Thank you for your earthly ministry. Thank you for teaching us, through your words and example, how you want us to live. Thank you for the Holy Spirit living in us, guiding us, and reminding us of everything you have taught us. May we be faithful learners and followers, in Jesus’ name. Amen.