Becoming Like The Teacher

READ

Watch a master craftsman at work, and you'll notice something remarkable: their apprentice doesn't just learn techniques – they begin to develop the same instincts, the same eye for detail, even the same way of holding their tools. After years of training, people often say the student has become "just like their teacher." This transformation isn't accidental; it's the natural result of spending time with a master and submitting to their instruction.

Let’s take a moment to read Luke 6:40:

“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.”

REFLECT

Jesus understood this principle when He said, "A student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher." He wasn't just describing an educational process; He was revealing the ultimate goal of discipleship. We don't just learn about Jesus – we become like Him.

The phrase "fully trained" is crucial here. In the original Greek, it's katartizo, which means to be complete, equipped, or restored to original condition. It's the same word used for mending fishing nets – taking something that's broken and making it whole again. This suggests that discipleship isn't about adding spiritual knowledge to an already complete person; it's about restoration, about becoming who God originally designed us to be.

But here's what makes Jesus different from every other teacher: He doesn't just want us to imitate His behavior; He wants His very life to live through us. When we become His disciples, we're not just copying His actions – we're receiving His Spirit, His heart, His way of seeing and responding to the world. This is transformation from the inside out.

The process of becoming like our Teacher involves all four meta-practices of discipleship. Through preparation, we ready our hearts to receive His instruction. We don't approach Jesus casually, but with the intentionality of students who know they have much to learn. This might involve setting aside distractions, quieting our hearts, and asking the Holy Spirit to make us receptive to what Jesus wants to teach us.

Reception is equally vital. Jesus is constantly offering us His peace, His joy, His perspective on difficult situations. But we must actively receive what He's giving. Too often, we're so focused on our own understanding that we miss what our Teacher is trying to show us. Learning to receive requires humility – acknowledging that His ways are higher than our ways.

Participation comes as we practice what we're learning. Jesus didn't just tell His disciples about love; He gave them opportunities to love difficult people. He didn't just teach about faith; He put them in situations where they had to trust God. Likewise, our daily experiences become the laboratory where we practice Christ-like responses.

Finally, reflection helps us recognize how we're being shaped by our Teacher. At the end of each day, we can ask: How did I respond like Jesus today? Where did I default to my old patterns instead of His ways? What is He trying to teach me through this situation? This reflection isn't about condemnation but about awareness and growth.

The beautiful promise of this verse is that full training is possible. We don't have to remain spiritual beginners forever. As we consistently submit to Jesus' instruction and allow His Spirit to work in us, we gradually take on His characteristics. His compassion becomes our natural response to hurting people. His courage enables us to stand for truth. His joy sustains us through difficult circumstances.

This doesn't mean we become perfect replicas of Jesus – we remain unique individuals with our own personalities and gifts. But it does mean that Christ's character increasingly shines through our distinct personalities. People begin to see Jesus in the way we love, serve, forgive, and hope.

The goal of discipleship isn't graduation; it's transformation. We never stop being students of Jesus, but we do grow in our likeness to Him. And as we become more like our Teacher, we naturally begin to help others discover the same transformation we're experiencing.

RESPOND

Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.

• In what ways do you see yourself becoming more like Jesus through your discipleship journey?

• What areas of your life still need the "mending" work of full training?

• How can you be more intentional about learning from Jesus in both the good times and the challenging seasons?

REST

Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the perfect Teacher who doesn't just instruct but transforms. I want to be fully trained by You, shaped into Your likeness from the inside out. Help me receive Your instruction with humility and practice Your ways with faithfulness. Continue the work of restoration in my heart until others can see You reflected in my life. Amen.