Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; (John 11:25) The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!” (Proverbs 22:13) “I am the bread of life… I am the light of the world… I am the gate… I am the good shepherd…” We can spiritualize these say that each of these can refer to Jesus as a teacher. His words will fill our spiritual bellies, teach us to see more clearly, protect and guide us. Today’s claim is a little harder to spiritualize. We can do it, but it’s harder because all the others involve adding Christ to our lives. Today’s demands something of us. Our death. Resurrection can’t happen to what is alive. The one who believes in him will die, and yet live. ...
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep . (John 10:14) God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” (Genesis 3:14) The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4) For the Jews, it was politically incorrect to make claims about yourself as a teacher (or possibly as anything else.) Teachers were expected to take pride in the...