IS CHRIST YOUR "GOOD TEACHER"?

People and situations are good instruments of teaching in this thing we call life, if we are willing to learn. You might have an academic teacher/professor, a parent, mentor, pastor or life challenge that has taught you many lessons. You might even have a favorite teacher or a situation you recall and use as a testimony to where you are now. However, there is only one that is called Good Teacher and for Good Reason. 

Here are a handful of Scriptural verses which describe God as Good.

• "Good and upright is the Lord." (Ps. 25:8)
• "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." (Ps. 34:8)
• "I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good." (Ps. 54:6)
• "You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you." (Ps. 86:5)
• "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." (Ps. 100:5)

The Hebrew word used for "good" in each of these verses is tob (tobe). This word means good in its widest sense - precious, favored, well and prosperity. However, when you fast-forward to Christ's interaction with a particular young rich man in Matthew 19:16-18, there is another word for "good" which bears a slightly elevated meaning.

"Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, 'Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?'

'Why do you ask me about what is good?' Jesus replied. 'There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.'”

The other Gospel accounts record the rich, young man actually calling Jesus "Good Teacher". Here is Mark's reckoning - 

"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. 'Good teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?'

'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good—except God alone.'" (Mark 10:17-18)

In any case, the word for "good", whether it is pertaining to Christ's knowledge of what is good or Christ being a Good Teacher is agathos. This word that was used means better, honest, and/or worthy. This word acknowledges and proclaims the recipient as being supreme, Master of whatever He spoke about, especially that which was Good. So the man could be addressing Jesus as Better Teacher, Honest Teacher and/or Worthy Teacher.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17) Jesus continues to teach, only the person of The Holy Spirit is now our immediate Good Teacher. He knows what I need and want. He knows what you need and want. Those of you who have trusted Christ with your Salvation, I encourage you to continue to keep all your eggs in His basket and learn from Him. He says in Matthew 11:28-30 - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

In these times of seeking answers, personally and nationally, make sure you are listening and studying under the One, True, Right and Good Teacher - Christ Jesus. True, The Holy Spirit may use a person or situation to teach a lesson or two, but be ever discerning and matching what you hear with God's Word. Is Christ Your Good Teacher?