TEACHER,TEACH THYSELF

Romans 2:21-23 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law, dishonorest thou God?

In His attempt to convince those in His hometown of Nazareth that He was the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus uses this proverb that was probably well known at that time - Physician, heal thyself. He failed in this effort because he was known merely as Joseph's son, and also, due to the thought contained in another proverb - No prophet is accepted in his own country (See this complete teaching in Luke 4:16-31). The fact that His own countrymen rejected Jesus is not the reason this passage is referred to in this lesson.

The proverb, "Physician, heal thyself," carries another meaning. For instance would you choose a physician to cure your migraine headache, who suffered for years with severe migraines himself? Would you retain an attorney, known to have been associated with fraud, to represent your integrity in a liability case? Would you hire a CPA to file your tax return that had been convicted of federal income tax evasion? Would you patronize a dirty restaurant, an unkempt dry cleaner, an insurance salesman with a revoked license, or an auto mechanic that couldn't keep his own car in running condition? The obvious answer is an emphatic, NO!

These examples are used to lead us into this lesson titled, Teacher, Teach Thyself! Isn't it logical that one would look to a teacher that was thoroughly knowledgeable about the subject you desire to learn? One would also expect the teacher to practice what they taught. Jesus did not find this to be so as he observed the practices of His own religious leaders.

As recorded in verses 17 through 20, which precede the lesson text, notice how Paul complements the scribes and Pharisees. He tells them they should be honored to be called a Jew. They were privileged to have the (written) law of God. As a nation, they could brag about their protection and deliverance by God. Being thoroughly instructed in the law, they knew the things that are more excellent. In order to learn God's written law, the uneducated Jews, as well as all Gentile nations (all that were spiritually blind), had to come to, and were taught by, the Jewish scholars. As such, these scholars thought of themselves as a light (to those) ...in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, (and) a teacher of babes.

These Jewish scribes and Pharisees, taught the true word of God that says, Thou shalt not steal (Ex. 20:15). Yet Jesus condemned them as hypocrites, (because) ye devour widows' houses - under the pretense of religion, stole their possessions (Matt. 23:14). They also rightfully taught that God commanded, Thou shalt not commit adultery (Ex. 20:14). Yet Jesus referred to them as An evil and adulterous generation (Matt. 12:39). They abhor idols that God's word also condemns (Ex. 20:4), yet they commit sacrilege, or as the NKJV translates, rob temples. The prophet Malachi confirms this by accusing the whole nation of Israel of robbing God in tithes and offerings (Mal. 3:8). Further desecration of the temple is noted when Jesus condemned the venders and moneychangers of making his house of prayer ...a den of thieves (See Mark 11:15-17 also Matt. 21:12-13).

To those that proclaimed themselves to be Jewish leaders and teachers, Jesus made this accusation, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not (Matt. 23:2-3). This is a great teaching on the destructive nature of hypocrisy. The scribes and Pharisees well knew the conduct God expects of His children as confirmed in His word. Yet, themselves, by breaking God's law, denied the necessity of obedience.

As Christians, do we practice what we preach? Do we mislead others with our conduct? First of all, we need to know God's word, and secondly, we need to faithfully practice it, lest we, too, deceive others!