Self Evaluation - Learning

      Yesterday my Bible reading plan suggested a passage in Matthew chapter 19, and true to form the Holy Spirit had something important for me to hear.  I cannot speak for you, but this is what He said to me.  One's approach to learning determines the outcome.  See if you agree with the conclusions that I have drawn.  Jesus encounters three kinds of people in this passage.  Each type of person listened to Jesus differently and the result influenced their ability to learn.  Sprinkled through this article you will see many self-reflecting questions that I've asked myself.  If they seem appropriate, you may find you will benefit from personal reflection too.  You also may note that I do not delve into the content of Matthew 19, but have chosen to step back just a bit and observe.  I do not include full verses, but the essence of the verse that is being quoted.  I would recommend reading this chapter for yourself and see where the Holy Spirit guides your attention.

    

The Pharisee's: 

     Jesus was first approached by the Pharisee's who came with questions.  They were not focused on Jesus authority, but they approached to test him by asking questions.  Jesus could have easily answered their questions with a simple statement; however he chose to return a question to them.  Jesus said, "Have you not read...?"  
     Jesus knew the hearts of the Pharisee's knowing that their pride was wrapped in their knowledge of the Scriptures, specifically the laws of Moses.  Their pride, however, blinded them from observing and applying not only what the law had to say, but what the prophets spoke about.  Jesus used Scriptures to answer their question, and then his concluding response was "What therefore God has...", but rather than hear his response on the subject they wished to have the last word.  Their ears were not satisfied with Jesus answer, so they went on to say, "Why then did Moses command...?"  Their question wasn't seeking, but instead a rebuttal.  The Pharisee's wished to undermine Jesus teaching.  They did not learn a thing.  Observing this lesson as a student I ask myself these questions:

1. When do I come before Jesus asking questions with a heart too stubborn to listen for His answer?
2.  When have I already made up my mind and shunned Jesus authority?
3. When am I not truly seeking an answer, but have an ulterior motivation when asking questions.

The Disciples:

     Following Jesus explanation, we see his disciples wanting to add their two cents to his teaching with a statement rather than a question.  They said, "If such is the case . . . then it is better..."  Jesus, as their teacher, spoke words contrary to the disciples conclusions.  When I find words like 'but' or 'yet' in Scriptures, this can teach me to turn from my own conclusion and listen to another point of view.  In Matthew 19 the disciples made two assumptions, and for each assumption they made, Jesus wished to broaden their perspective.  He was the one with the big picture and greater insight to His Father's plan for mankind.  Jesus did not hush his disciples or scold them for speaking out of turn, but I wonder if he might have preferred that they would have worded their conclusive statement as a question instead.  It is important to know the difference between the role of a student and the role of an advisor.  Here the disciples seemed to be confused about what role they were to play, not just once, but twice.  Only a few verses beyond this example, we see the disciples rebuke the people.  Again Jesus steps in with an opposing response to the disciples way of thinking.  Jesus often gives different responses than mankind expects.  Reflecting on the disciples as students I meditated on these questions:

1. What conclusions do I draw that are incorrect?
2. Where do I add or subtract from instructions found in God's Word because of my limited perception?
3. When do I give my point of view, assuming that I speak for God?

I humbly submit that if you see any of these flaws in my writing that you discount the source and let the Holy Spirit be your guide.

The Young Man:

      Jesus third encounter in Matthew 19 is with a young man who came asking questions.  Just like the Pharisee's, Jesus answered a question with a question.  In this case it appeared to me that Jesus was not only trying to get the young man to listen to something different than he wanted to hear, but also to recognize the obstacle that he had placed in his own path.  Jesus knew what the obstacle was, but he wanted to help the young man discover it for himself.  How pleasant is it to discover truth coming from our own lips?  This lesson had a far larger audience than the young man asking the question.  Jesus was teaching all his listeners (including us).  2 Timothy 3:16 says,  "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
   Jesus reverse question to this young man was, "Why do you ask...?"   Reading closely I discovered that this young man was only partially listening to Jesus' answer.  He wasn't fully listening.  The evidence--Jesus said, "there is only one who is good" (or perfect).  When Jesus outlined six of the ten commandments from Exodus, the young man said that he had kept all of them (perfectly?).    The truth is that we cannot see ourselves the way Jesus sees us.  We live with the same illusion that this young man did, our goodness earns a ticket to heaven.  Jesus went on to say, "if you would be perfect..."  Jesus didn't say "since you are perfect, then..."  In other words, he wanted this young man to consider more deeply his response.  Jesus followed with a simple three step instruction:  "go, give, and come."  I wondered why Jesus had only shared six of the ten commandments, but it became more evident to me that the young man had already failed the first commandment.  At the conclusion of the story, we see that he had placed something higher than God.  I wonder if this young man was able to comprehend the lesson as he walked away with sorrow.  Did he now understand his obstacle.  Jesus spent additional time explaining this to the disciples after the man had left.  Thinking of this young man as a student I reflected on these questions:

1. What idols have become so prevalent in my life that I am not able to see them?
2. How do I respond when I am asked to do something that I would prefer not to do?
3. Is my attitude so fixed on my goodness that I fail to hear what Jesus is teaching?

The Summary:

     After these three examples, Jesus continues to teach his disciples.  What makes a teacher still willing to teach when we've drawn the wrong conclusions?  Noticing that Jesus taught with questions, it is evident how they can be used to expand someone's thinking when we are willing to learn.  Our response to questions often provides insight into the boundaries we have placed on our understanding.  A wise teach can expand those boundaries which we often call thinking outside the box.  A teacher will say "have you considered this?"  A teacher will provide opposing views.  A teacher may contradict our logic.  Although this may be met with some resistance, Jesus is willing to help us overcome the obstacles we have placed in our way.  
     As a student I may need to reflect on these three questions:

1. When have I been resistant to changing my viewpoint that may clear an obstacle that I face?
2.  Am I open or resistant to learning something new?
3. How important is it for me to read and re-read the same Scripture in order to uncover something that I was not ready or willing to learn in the past?

     A few nights ago, I had asked one of my daughters to read Matthew 18 and journal what she had learned from this passage.  She had picked out one verse which she was willing to share with me.  She also was willing to give me a summary of her understanding.  I did not ask her to share a personal application and rather than tell her what I thought about the passage I proceeded to ask her several questions.  As a parent, I felt it was my responsibility to recognize a faulty interpretation.  The passage she read, "If your hand or foot cause you to sin, cut it off and throw it away."  Now you can see why I was concerned.  By asking questions I was greatly relieved that she had not made faulty assumptions.  I did not want to find body parts in the trash (only joking).

     I often think about the advice I freely give to others.  In many cases, hindsight has taught me that it would have been far better if I would have said, "How might you apply Matthew 18 or Matthew 19 to your current way of thinking?"

  

Additional Questions:

1. Am I more like the Pharisee when I approach God's Word and assume that I already know how to interpret it, which makes my questions irrelevant and irreverent.
2.  Am I more like the Disciples who want to teach more than I want to learn?   Do I also try to speak on God’s behalf, when my two-cents adds nothing of value? 
3.  Am I like the Young Man who expected to hear a different answer than the one received, so I go away in self-pity?

The story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10) comes to mind as I think about how Mary sat at the feet of Jesus wishing only to listen and capture every word that proceeded from the mouth of God.  I want to be Mary.