Jesus is Master -or- The Les Wolfe School of Technology

 Preparing for Easter

Master. 

Its a term we rarely use in this hemisphere or at least in this country. 
The reference we see in scripture comes from a must older time when slavery was still a regular idea or practice. Almost gone from our ears is the idea of a master and slave/servant kind of relationship. England let go of their slave trade as early as 1807. Sixty some years after we here in the newly formed States were fighting over whether to keep slaves or let them go free. 

The word nowadays takes on different connotations.

To be a "master" is less about what we own and more about what we can do.
Some people take their video games very seriously. Its an achievement, a mastery, to conquer a level or a big boss in order to move on and win. There are a groups of guys who meet at a delicious little place called Shannon's Pit Stop every day down in the Thornville area. These tough nosed, gritty, hard working men have learned that life is not easy and you have give it all you have in order to make it in this world. All of them are retired now and this is how they like to spend their early morning hours. It's coffee and conversation for two or three hours to start the day. Quite often, as I enter the establishment on any given weekday, my comment will be, "Fixing the world's problem yet?" To which I will receive the usual response, "We're working on it." Fixing all the problems in the world takes time and dedication. And, lots of coffee. I'm told the spot in the road up here around the church is Wilkin's Corner. I'm told they will make you a good sandwich. I wonder if there is a similar group of men who meet to do the same thing. Down with the Pit Stop group is one fella named Rick McCance. Rick is the seasoned veteran of the group who I have heard refer to himself as "Jack of all trades, Master of none." That is where we tend to put that word these days. "Master is a person who knows a lot about many different things. A master is someone with skill and ability that has ben tried and found to be true. Early on in life, I became acquainted with the saying that someone had attended the "school of technology" when it came to following someone's opinions or way of thought. My buddy, Mike Porter, is here attending with us today. He grew up around this area. Mike has some well thought out opinions on life and everything going on in the world. What might it be like to sit under his teaching and learn from "The Mike Porter School of Technology"?

Well, lets take at some usage of the word Master as we go into the scripture and see just how it was used in some different settings and contexts. Last week were in John 13 looking at Jesus washing the disciples feet and it is there we return to see a very familiar passage where Jesus is referring to himself. 

Do you have a deep seated desire to be like Jesus? Who is it that you have been following all these years? Whose opinion and thought mean the most to you that you would want to walk in those shoes and carry that cross for that person? It is a mighty measure to want to be like someone and follow their train of thought. And, it is a truly American ideal to be independent. Stand on our own two feet. Be our own person and walk in our own way. And, yet for all of our struggle to be, what we would call - free; I think we find ourselves emulating those who raised us and taught us, instructing us in the way they think life should go. And, down inside of all our young selves there is a person who was, or maybe still is, looking for that instruction, that aide. Jesus is that for these twelve men. He is their Master and Lord. Google had some interesting thoughts from it's AI bot as I delved deeper into the matter.

In the Gospels, the word "master" is used to translate various Greek terms, including "didaskalos" (teacher), "rabbi" (my teacher), and "kurios" (Lord), often referring to Jesus' authority and role as a teacher and leader. [1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5]

Here's a more detailed breakdown: [1, 1, 4, 4, 6, 6]

• "Didaskalos" (Teacher): This is a common Greek word for teacher, and in the King James Version (KJV), it's often translated as "master". [1, 1, 4, 4, 6, 6]
  • For example, in Matthew 8:19, a scribe approaches Jesus and says, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go" (KJV), which could also be translated as "Master". [2, 2, 4, 4]
• "Rabbi" (My Teacher): This is a Hebrew term of respect for a teacher, and in the KJV, it's often translated as "Master". [1, 1, 4, 4, 5, 5]
  • For instance, in Matthew 26:25, the disciples ask Jesus, "Master, who is it that will betray thee?" (KJV). [4, 4, 5, 5, 7]
• "Kurios" (Lord): This Greek word, often used to refer to God or Jesus, is sometimes translated as "Master" in the KJV. [1, 1, 4, 4, 5, 5]
  • For example, in Matthew 6:24, Jesus says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other" (KJV). [1, 4, 5, 8]
• Other contexts: [2, 2]
  • The term "master" is also used in the context of servitude and discipleship, as seen in Matthew 10:24-25, where Jesus teaches, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master". [2, 2]
  • In Luke 13:25, the term "master" is used to refer to the head of the household. [1, 1]

Generative AI is experimental.

[1] https://towardthemark.org/TTM39/Master-A-Word-Study

[2] https://biblehub.com/topical/m/master.htm

[3] https://biblehub.com/topical/naves/m/master--jesus_called.htm

[4] https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/master/

[5] https://www.fayobserver.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2019/01/16/rev-ron-godbolt-master-has-many-names-with-same-meaning/6283166007/

[6] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/m/master.html

[7] https://www.naves-topical-bible.com/RABBI.html

[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_6:24

[-] https://heidelblog.net/2024/09/dead-idols-in-the-temple-of-the-living-god-a-biblical-analysis-of-the-modern-idea-of-idols-of-the-heart-part-3/

That's a chunk to drop on you but if you care to take the time to research those references, it might be worth your while. 

Another place that we find similar wording is in Matthew 10. The context here is that Jesus is sending the disciples out to share the Gospel. It is not easy to just walk up to total strangers and share the message of the Messiah coming into the world to save us. It wasn't easy for the Messiah himself! in the midst of the long discourse from Matthew 10, Jesus shares these words.

Jesus spends a good deal of time preparing his disciples for the hardships that are ahead. It all has to do with who they have chosen to follow as their Master. If the world didn't listen to Him, then they won't listen to these men either. Still Jesus wants them to go. Some of the Jewish leaders had begun to call Jesus by another name. Beelzebul. It's a play on words from an old testament reference. Ba'al was an OT god that many were caught up in following. Ba'al being the mail reference. His "wife" was Asherah. It was thought that the two of them came back to the surface from the underworld every year. And as they consummated their love each year it brought fertilization to the earth. Many were caught up in worshipping idolized statues of Ba'al or Asherah or even acting out that consummation on "high places" throughout the kingdom. It certainly was a distraction. The latter part of the word Beelzevul has to with a phrase = "lord of the flies". What are flies? a pest. a distraction. What is it they are tossing on to Jesus with this one word analogy. They are calling him a distraction. And, in turn, Jesus is letting his disciples know that if they has disrespect for Him, then they also should expect to be treated the same. Jesus is the Master. He knows all, He sees all. And the disciple are sharing in this ministry with Him. Sharing right down to the cross and the nails, in many of their personal cases. 

Lets look at one more way the word Master is used. 

It is found only three times in Scripture-Matthew 23:8-10-and then used only by the Lord Himself. - Oikodespotes is another word translated "master." It means "the head of the family," and is found in Luke 13:25 and 14:21. It is elsewhere translated "goodman (of the house)" and "householder."
- 

Master: A Word Study - Toward The Mark #39

 

If following, emulating, our Lord and Savior is truly what we are after, then how can we think of our roles as disciples and journeymen to be similar in nature to that of Jesus when it comes to taking care of our households? The analogy from the parables in which Jesus uses the word these three time as referenced speaks of a great wedding, a feast, a moment the master of the house wants to share. But, those invited did not want to come. They did not want to share in the feast and blessing. They were too busy. They were distracted by the cares of life and the trials of this world. The master is furious and send his servants back out to bring in whoever. Anybody. Anyone that will heed the invitation. Fill the table. When the other who were originally invited actually get around to showing up, the message will be clear. They missed the moment. The coffee had been poured around the Pit Stop table that day. The sandwiches had been made at Wilkins Corner. They missed out. They could have sat for a moment and learned from the School of Technology. But, they missed it. 

What are we missing? Why are we too busy to sit and listen?
How will we correct our course and follow the way we were meant to?

Opened ended questions meant to make you think this week. 

I hope that you will take the time.

Blessings