You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am . . . . I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master . . .—John 13:13, 16
We know that Christianity is not a “religion” in the traditional sense but it’s a relationship. We are asked if we “know” the Lord. Again we are talking about relationship not a head knowledge.
Think about this for a moment. How would you described the relationship? It’s a question we are often asked at our baptism and don’t think about much after that. Most answer something like Savior, Sanctifier, and Healer.
These are completely valid answers because each of these things He truly is. I know He has saved me and continues to heal and sanctify me. But notice these words describe what Our Lord has done for us. They don’t really describe a relationship. He described Himself as Teacher and Lord. In fact, He tells us that the disciplines have called Him Teacher and Lord. Are we ready to have that kind of relationship. For those words describe us in an action way. If He is teacher, we are student. If He is Lord, we are servant. To have a master and teacher is not the same thing as being mastered and taught. Having a master and teacher means that there is someone who knows me better than I know myself, who is closer than a friend, and who understands the remotest depths of my heart and is able to satisfy them fully. It means having someone who has made me secure in the knowledge that he has met and solved all the doubts, uncertainties, and problems in my mind. To have a master and teacher is this and nothing less— “. . . for One is your Teacher, the Christ . . .” (Matthew 23:8).
I have asked for testimonies for publication on amanacf.org. This really asks us to define the relationship we have with our Lord: Savior, Healer, Sanctifier, Teacher, Master. It’s a great exercise to see which, if any, of these terms apply to our relationship. What kind of relationship do we actually have? What do we want? What does He want?
Give it some thought. Maybe write in down and, if your are really brave, send it to me and I will share it on the website. I received one already that has deeply moved me. I hope I will see some more.
Be blessed.
Nick
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