Journal Entry // Mach 12, 2021
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Luke 6:40 ESV
It is a simple matter to remember that I am the disciple and Jesus is the teacher. It should be an obvious fact that not only am I not above Jesus, but that I am being trained to be like him. As obvious as this fact is, I continually forget and need constant reminding of this dynamic. The two points of this passage are essential in my daily walk and I need to have them on the front of my mind.
One… I am not above Jesus. He is my master and teacher. This life of mine is not about me, but is solely about him. I want my life to be comfortable and filled with ease. I want the path to be straight and wide. I want to walk among the garden and smell the freshness of the flowers. I want it to be peaceful. But that is not the path Jesus walked in his life on earth. His path was full of twists and turns with rocks and thorns through a desert being accosted on every side at almost every step. This is what my teacher modeled and what he declared was the path set aside for his disciples. A path of trials and adversity.
Two… This path is a training ground designed for a purpose. So that being fully trained through this life, I will be like Jesus. This is the purpose and aim with which my holy Father has called me. Not to a life of comfort and ease. Not to a life where my fleshly desires are fulfilled. But to a life of godliness.
This godliness is not simply an adherence to outward rules and regulations. No, that is far too easily corrupted and performed for the praise of man. This godliness is not only an outward adherence, but flows from an inner godliness of a changed heart and mind. For later in this chapter Jesus says,
“for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
It is from our heart that we demonstrate what we are full of as the overflow of our abundance will come forth through our words and actions. So it’s not the mask of outward appearance that we put on in front of those we want to impress. It’s the true overflow of my heart that demonstrates the state of my heart and soul. It’s the quiet moments that reveal my heart. When nobody is around and the mask is put down, what is the overflow of my heart? This is the marker.
And if I am loving God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, then I will work diligently to not wear a mask. I will present myself in humility as a weak and sinful disciple that is living in grace and mercy. I will pay attention to the actions of my heart and the words of my mouth as they are the key indicators of the state of my soul. That I will be honest to myself and to the Lord. Not hiding or covering up my sin and failure, but humbly seeking the face of my savior in repentance and truth.
In all of this, remembering that Jesus is my teacher and my aim is too be like him. Not to be blessed by him, but to actually reflect and emulate him. At the end of the day, I want people to see Jesus and forget about me. I want to forget about me and only see Jesus.