A Teacher with a Lesson

Titus 2:7-8

Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.

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Well the dawn was coming,
heard him ringing on my bell.
He said, ``My name's the teacher,
that is what I call myself.
And I have a lesson
that I must impart to you.
It's an old expression
but I must insist it's true.

Jump up, look around,
find yourself some fun,
no sense in sitting there hating everyone.
No man's an island and his castle isn't home,
the nest is full of nothing when the bird has flown.

"Teacher" by Jethro Tull

Teachers, Paul was the most influential voice of the early Christian church. His teachings flow to us today though the many epistles which remain in the New Testament. Some of his teachings are popular, some-particularly some of his teachings about the role of women-are not so popular. Above all, he teaches that our actions will reflect our words. Others will judge our walk with Christ by our acts of peace, grace, and mercy. Jethro Tull teaches some very interesting concepts in the song "Teacher."

"Jump up, look around" begins by saying we must be active, we must be participants in the community. We can't be good Christians living like hermits. We must participate in the community. Yes, there is a time to go off to a quiet place. There is a time for reflection and rest, but that time can't last forever. The three persons of God live in community and we are called to live by that example.

"Find yourself some fun, no sense in sitting there hating everyone" is a call to enjoy the community. The life of occasional sorrow is inevitable. God comforts those who mourn, but we cannot stay like that forever. Bitterness is often a way of life for people, and it's a horrible way of life. God does not hate, not even God's enemies. Jesus prayed for his enemies, there was no bitterness. Life, even the life of Christ, was too short for that.

"No man's an island and his castle isn't home." Our home is not here. Our home is not what we can buy with the money we earn. Our ultimate home is a gift of God's grace. What we have here is temporary. What we have here is ultimately folly. The song also reminds us "the nest is full of nothing when the bird has flown." What is here today is gone tomorrow.

Instead of the bitter solitary life of someone holed up with their earthly wealth and sorrow, we are called to present ourselves to the world as models of good works. We are to present the teaching of the faith in integrity, gravity, and sound speech. By these things there will be nothing that can be said against us. Our walk with the Lord will not be impeached on earth or in heaven.