Life 101

T

he flashing caution lights, the smell of diesel fuel, frequent traffic jams, mobs in the stores, sudden shortages of basic office supplies; all these herald the beginning of school.  For the past several weeks, different school systems in and around the Fort Worth area have opened.  The pattern of school openings resembles the lights of a tiny village that come on at dusk. A few here, more there, until the whole village is awash in light.  By the end of last week, all the surrounding school systems were up and running on normal schedules and the universities and colleges were also in full swing.

On August 26^th, I officially start my teaching duties.  It is hard to believe summer is over and that fall is not too far away; but the beginning of school, at any level, brings this fact more vividly into focus.  One of the requirements I must fulfill as an instructor is to create a syllabus, essentially a large blueprint that outlines the course.  It lists all the events pertinent to the class such as tests, exams, and of course the most popular item, vacations and breaks.  Students will flip right past the important academic information and look for how much vacation time is built into the university calendar.

The syllabus, however, does more than just list important dates and policies.  It actually makes several promises to the student and one of those promises is tests!!  While students don't particularly enjoy taking tests, they are well aware of their importance.  In addition, the syllabus indicates the specific dates of the tests and of those dreaded mid-term and final exams.  While there is no indication as to what type of test will be administered or how difficult it will be, the students are assured that the test is coming and they know they must be prepared for it. 

In John 16:33, Jesus essentially gave out a syllabus to his disciples.  He wasn't teaching a course in philosophy or chemistry or psychology or calculus.  Instead, Jesus was teaching a course in life.  In fact, the ministry of Jesus is an ongoing course in how life should be lived in order to please God.  The teachings of Jesus could well be considered as a course entitled Life 101.

At most universities and colleges, courses labeled 101 indicate the class is introductory or elementary in nature.  It is the most basic level of study, laying the foundation for all other courses that come after it.  Not understanding the basic, fundamental concepts at this level spells great difficulty for the student later in his/her academic career.  A good instructor will test, and test often, to ensure these basic principles are learned.

Notice the words of Jesus in John 16:33, " I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  From the outset, Jesus seeks to comfort his disciples.  He tells them everything, hiding nothing from them.  It's all in the syllabus.  There will be times of learning and times of testing.  Jesus promises his disciples, and us, that life will be filled with tests.  In fact, he says there will be "many trials and sorrows."  Now if the syllabus stopped here, there would be a mad rush on the registrar's office by students seeking to drop the course.  However, Jesus doesn't stop here.  He continues by encouraging his students, essentially telling them to trust him because he has already been where they are going!!  This is the kind of teacher every student wants because he/she understands what it is like to be in the student's situation.

Scripture is very clear that Jesus was tested in every possible way we are but he did not sin (Hebrews 4:15).  The first day of class, I gave out my syllabus.  The students were not totally happy, but they now know what to expect.  I understand their frustrations, especially when learning a foreign language. I have spent the last 38 years of my life wrestling to learn French and one day, I hope to get there.

Jesus came to earth and lived as one of us.  He knows our weaknesses, he knows our challenges, and he understands our frustrations.  He knows what it is to be lonely, what it is to be rejected, what it is to be misunderstood, and what it is to be abandoned.  Yet his syllabus is full of these very tests and we must take them if we are to pass the course and understand the basic, fundamental truth of his great love for us. 

The syllabus, God's word, has been written.  Perhaps you are holding a copy of it in your hands right now.  Look through it and know that God is with you in every trial and test.  No matter how hard or impossible you think it will be, when you get there you will find him ready to come to your side when you call for help.  Life 101, a basic class, a challenging adventure, but a wonderful course of study!