Different kind of teacher

School has started! Besides new classrooms, clothes and homework, you're getting used to something else that's new: your teacher.

Some people think having a new teacher isn't a big deal, but it is. It takes a while to learn how your teacher works. She might give more homework than you're used to; he might read out loud to the class every Friday, and you love that. Either way, it's different!

In the Gospel story (John 3:13-17), people are getting used to a new teacher, too: Jesus. Lots of people have taught about God before -- prophets like Elijah, who talked about the future; and John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, who said Jesus was coming soon.

Jesus was a different kind of teacher. He used stories to make His points. He got the 12 Apostles together as His closest friends, to teach them how to be teachers. Most importantly, Jesus wasn't just a person; He was the Son of God, who came to save the world.

Like you, people had to get used to this different teacher. They wanted to believe He was just like all the teachers they'd had before. Some people said He was crazy for claiming He was the Messiah! But the Apostles tried to remember who Jesus really was, and that what He had to teach was important.

When they didn't, Jesus did what any teacher would do: He corrected them, so they'd know next time He asked!

(9/11/03) [[In-content Ad]]