Fully Trained

Some of Jesus’ teaching are so familiar we tend to gloss over them. Well, of course, we say. Until we try to live them. Then they become difficult.

Teachings like, If you love those who love, what credit is that to you . . . love your enemies. . . . (Lk. 6:32a,35a NIV)

Perhaps we have trouble living the teachings of Jesus because we do not submit to his training. Jesus told us we would never rise above our master. He said, everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. (v. 40b)

So who is our master? Is it Jesus?

The ability to love those who do not love in return is not natural. We cannot love on our own even when we try to love. But we can love if we focus on Jesus, because we discover He loves us. If we demonstrate love because we know by faith that He is alive—and that He lives in us—His love becomes reality through us.

Jesus trains us when we look to Him. It can become a lifestyle.

Originally published June 21, 1985.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Perfectly Trained

Jesus said, A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. (Lk. 6:40 NKJV)

The reality of human experience is that although we might be trained, we aren’t perfectly trained in our walk as Christians. Training requires obedience, discipline, industry. We all fall short because we don’t have it in us to fulfill those requirements or to follow our Him perfectly. And so, none of us becomes perfectly trained.

Jesus was the one exception. Of all the people who have ever lived, only He was totally obedient, totally disciplined, totally industrious. Only He did not fall short, because He followed His Father perfectly. He understood training.

The writer of Hebrews says, though He [Jesus] was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. (Heb. 5:8,9)

Because he was perfectly trained, Jesus revealed the nature of His Teacher. He was not above His Teacher; rather, He was like His Teacher. And He revealed His Father in Heaven.

Originally published June 19, 1987.
Picture: Flowers, Las Vegas, 2008. Photo by Solveig