Do you remember in grade school how the teacher would give you a pre-test or a pop quiz? The purpose of a pre-test is for the teacher to see if you are studying the right material and learning what was covered in class. As students we may not have enjoyed pre-tests or pop quizzes and grumbled every time those words were uttered by a teacher.Once we graduate high school and college “real life” seems to step into the teacher’s shoes and brings its own “pre-tests” and “pop quizzes.” Some of them are easy hurdles but a few of them rush to mind when a “final exam” comes around.
In Luke 9:1-17, Jesus sends his select 12 disciples out into the cities with power and authority. They could cast out demons and heal the sick. How amazing would that be?! Christ even warned them that they would be accepted several places but once in a while they and Christ’s message would be rejected.
When they return from their short mission, Christ wishes to talk privately about their experiences but the crowds wanted to see and hear from Jesus. Late in the day the disciples want to send everyone away, knowing the people are getting hungry and they had no provision for them. So Christ presents to them their “final exam” for this chapter: “You give them something to eat.” Unfortunately the disciples didn’t do so well on that test and still had a bit of learning to do.
God wants us to learn through different “pre-tests” in life so that when a “final exam” comes we can remember God’s faithfulness and provision and pass with flying colors.
~Shannon Birdsall~
3 comments:
Pre-Tests or finals: It seems like we go through the same course over and over, just taught a little differently and with a different test. Often
I wonder how the disciples could ever be with Jesus and doubt. I guess we are no different.
Thanks for the challenging post!
I can empathize with Mark's comment--sometimes I feel like a retread. It would be good to get one area of life together and move on to the next-it would feel like progress.
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