THE MASTER AND THE STUDENT!

THE MASTER AND THE STUDENT!

2 Tim 2:1-2

2 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

           Both First and Second Timothy were written from an older sage to a younger apprentice. Both seemed to understand the relationship and now Paul urges Timothy to gradually become that older mentor. The idea is that truth and tradition might be passed along unchanged. Merriam-Webster says that a mentor is: a trusted counselor or guide; a tutor or coach.

           Becoming a mentor presumes that you know something and that you have experience. There is also the presumption that you have accomplished something worthy of copying. There must have been something very attractive about Jesus to make Peter, James and John to leave their fishing careers to follow this itinerant preacher.

           Becoming a student presumes that you do NOT know as yet but that you are eager to learn. There was no challenge coming from young Timothy either of the truth or the traditions. At the end of the day Timothy wanted to be like Paul. Immediately following verses one and two we see a warning because there would be “hardness” to endure and options to filter through the net of reason.

2 Tim 2:3-4

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

           Today you know something that needs to be taught to another. Be a good teacher! You may also still be a student. Study hard! Learn both the truths and the traditions! There will be time to be innovative but for now learn the basics. There will be times of hardness. There will always be choices to make. Choose wisely.

Dear Lord, I know so much and yet so very little. Let me be a good teacher and a faithful student. AMEN