LEARN OF ME (1)

Topic: LEARN OF ME (1)

Text: Matthew 11:29 “...learn of me...”

INTRODUCTION

In the rural settlements of my part of the world, people were used to eating on leaves with domestic animals such as goat waiting to eat the leaves as soon as they are through with their food. The goats are so much in a hurry that they even want to take the leaves even before they are through with their meals. Take for instance, a father and son were eating and the goat comes after them for the leaves, the father simply says “kai” and the goat will take off. That serves as an example for the son such that when the father leaves him outside with his food to get something from inside and the goat comes hunting again; what does the son say? He simply says “kai” like the father said and the goat will take to its heels, John 5:19 says;

“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise”

Now the age, skin colour, race, gender, height etc aren’t prerequisites to the obedience of the goat to his instruction, the goat will still take off. All that mattered was doing it his father’s way. In the same vein, Jesus is saying “learn of Me” but unfortunately even God’s people are perishing for negligence or ignorance of doing things His way, Hosea 4:6. By this teaching, your eyes will be opened to so many truths and benefits at your disposal for which you’ve hitherto suffered. Jesus said;

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” John 13:15

Interestingly, all the apostles of the early learnt and followed Him closely which accounted for the exploits recorded on their names, 1Cor 11:1, 1Cor 4:16, Eph 5:1, Php 3:17, 1Th 1:6, 2Th 3:9. Hence, Jesus is sending out the same signal in our days saying;

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do...” John 14:12

You will agree with me beyond all reasonable doubt that if we learn of Him, it will be to no others’ advantage but ours and if we do otherwise, the result will be vice-versa. You can never be greater than you have learnt of Christ; never, not in this world!

What does it mean to learn?

Let us see what the dictionary has to say before we go on to define it by context. It says “learn” means;

A. To acquire information or skill

B.  To find out something

C. To memorize something

D. To teach somebody something.

Hence, most appropriate for the sake of our topic is the dictionary’s first definition i.e. “To acquire information or skill”. Defining “learn” as it appears in our text means to follow, be disciple or schooled in a particular way because Jesus is “The Way” and not just “a way” to go.   The way becomes your life gauge and anchor which helps you to monitor your race progress. Apostle Paul in one of his writings was probably grieved by some brethren’s behaviour as he said;

“But ye have not so learned Christ” Ephesians 4:20

Christ is our standard as believers; nothing less is accepted. As a matter of fact, on His appearing on the last day you will not go with Him if you don’t meet up with His standard. Salvation just like the King’s banquet in Matthew 22:1-13 might be free to all, that doesn’t mean that there are no standards to be adhered to lest you be accused on His appearing saying to you;

“...Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” Matthew 22:12

His standards will speak for you but lest you go speechless on His appearing, He has sent me to tell you that you must “learn of Him”.

What am I to learn of Him?

Jesus is a life giving being according to John 10:10. He is also the light, way, truth etc to the world. In the same vein, be what He is to your world for;

“...as he is, so are we in this world” 1John 4:17

No other standard is accepted in Heaven other than the one set by Christ. A few of such standard is;

A. Holiness

“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God” Lev 20:7.

God is too holy to behold iniquity that is why whoever must approach Him must do so with clean hands and a pure heart, Psl 24:4

B. Meekness

Having the power or prowess to do something but withholding one’s self from taking action in other words, being in control of one’s spirit. This you see Jesus exhibit when He was being arrested in Matthew 26:53, He said; 

“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”

Even though He had the power to do it the spirit of meekness restrained him. This is one attribute Elijah lacked in 2Kings 1:10. All power in Heaven and on earth is at your disposal but you must control it and not the other way round. You must always be conscious of the Spirit you carry; He could be destructive and creative depending on usage.

C. Compassion

Every act of Jesus was born and propelled by compassion. All His miracles are traceable to His compassion for man ranging from feeding the multitude in Matthew 9:36, through healing the sick in Matthew 14:14, to raising the dead in Luke 7:13.

Without beating much about the bush, compassion on others is the secret behind any exploit ever recorded by man including those done by Christ Himself as highlighted above. If you will allow your mind to stir-up enough compassion for God’s people your results will be unbelievable. Love is a simple definition of compassion. Coincidentally, love is the summary of His commandments, Mark 12:31 says;

“And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these”

Mark 12:33 goes on to say that to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, IS MORE THAN ALL WHOLE BURNT OFFERING AND SACRIFICES. Did you hear that? To Love pays! You want to fly high in life? You must be ready to spend time stirring-up compassion or love for souls on the tarmac of life. It is the wisest thing to do, Proverbs 11:30b.

Furthermore, do good at every opportunity you have to do it and you can’t claim not to find one because opportunities to do good are all over the place around you, Galatians 6:10, Matthew 25:34-46.

Conclusively, you can only end up doing greater works than Jesus did in His earthly ministry when you learn of Him. Apostle Peter’s shadow was said to heal the sick according to Acts 5:15, while apron and handkerchiefs taken from Paul according to Acts 19:23, did great exploit just to mention a few. He left us this promise in His will which has taken effect at His death saying;

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father”

However, you are not safe if you are not saved. If you are yet to give your life to Christ then you don’t have a place with Him in this kingdom of abundant life. Say this prayer after me quickly “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner, please forgive all my trespasses, wash me in Your blood and give me a new beginning as I accept you as my Lord and personal Saviour from now on, Amen”. Now we can together learn of Him on our way to greater heights. Shalom!