I’m in education. I’ve established schools from kindergarten to Year 12, vocational colleges, ELICOS institutions and higher education institutions.
I believe in education, as do the thousands of international students who have come to Australia through the programs I have been involved in. They see education as the means to opening doors (even though the cynic in me knows their interest in further education is more about permanent residency rights than a love of learning).
So why is the most influential person who has ever lived had probably only 5 years of education altogether, all in a language that wasn’t his everyday language, and all based on the ancient Bible and rabbinical writings?
I’m talking about Jesus. Out of probably 108 billion people who have ever lived, His life and words still influence the world.
It’s not like when He was alive he had a huge following. He attracted crowds, yes, but in small provinces and those crowds were fickle at best. He died as a common criminal - a death He did not deserve. There is nothing about the life of Jesus that would explain the persistent interest, belief in and dedication and devotion of His followers.
Except that Jesus lives! He rose from the dead and He continues His presence amongst us through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ death accomplished so much. He lived a perfect life and died a sinner’s death so that you could exchange your punishment for His reward. When you repent of your sin and ask Jesus to be your Lord, his costly and precious sacrifice covers you for all time. Pure and unconditional grace. Nothing you have done or will do can ever keep you from the salvation and life forever with Him when you trust in Him.
That faith in Jesus goes a step further. Trust in Him and He says that whatever you ask of Him, He will do - even to move a mountain! (Mk 11:23-24).
The key again is trust, and that is difficult in the midst of church teachings, education, medical opinions and societal pressures. But persistent faith in Him is rewarded and I have personally been miraculously healed of Stage IV cancer and recently my husband was healed miraculously of Stage 4 Alzheimers. I could write pages on healings I’ve personally witnessed recently, but those 2 first hand testimonies must suffice.
And now I’m learning that faith in Jesus goes a step further where we can encounter Jesus face to face - in vision or in person. That we can visit Him in heaven. That we can see into the spiritual realm — in short, going from glory to glory, a limitless revelation of a limitless God. I’ve had glimpses and my appetite has been whetted. I want that! I yearn for that!
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Cor 3:17-18 NLT).
I urge you to press in for there is more!
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
(Phil 3:10-11 NLT).