The Test
A teacher really
wanted to know what the students were learning in his class. So he decided to
give this class a different type of test, an examination that would really evaluate
what they knew and were able to use. The teacher decided not only to make the
test very hard, but not to tell the students which day it would be given. He
merely warned the students to be prepared for a tough exam which could be given
on any regular class day of the semester. This would be the only test the class
would have, this test alone would determine the
student’s grade for the class.
At first the
students were a bit scared of being unprepared for the test. They read and
studied the material, were fairly well prepared. But like many young students
striving to mature and enjoy life, other fun things can interfere with their
study habits. They figured that logically the test would be given towards the
end of the class semester, when all of the course material had been presented.
So many students began to drift along, planning to study hard later on when the
test most likely would be given.
When the students
had completed about two/thirds of the semester, the teacher suddenly handed out
a test at the beginning of class. Many students were caught off guard, they had
fallen behind, reasonably sure the test would coming towards the very end of
the class semester. Their plan of studying later on had led them astray, had
just failed them. The teacher told the class the instructions were at the top,
the written instructions were all that was needed, that there was to be no more
talking, to begin when you received the test, and the harder questions were at
the end.
When the test was
announced there was a deep sigh from the class. Some chastised themselves for
not being prepared, others had a few choice words for
the teacher. Many quickly began going down the questions, writing the answers
or jotting down quick notes before they would lose some of their instant
recall. The test was three long and hard pages of written answer questions. The
room was quiet as the students began working, one could feel the tension, see
the energy from overworked minds floating in the air, almost
see the smoke of minds which were blown by being unprepared, unable to cope
with the questions asked.
An oddity soon
began to appear. While some students were struggling on the first page others
began turning their tests in and leaving the classroom. Had a fraternity,
sorority, dorm hall, or group gotten the test, passed out the test? They were
sure a stupid lot. Finishing that quickly would surely tip off the teacher they
had the answers. They should wait and turn their tests in at the end with
everyone so no one would suspect them. Then another strange occurrence began to
happen towards the end of the allotted time for the test. Some were frantically
trying to erase answers, while some others had just thrown their papers up in
the air and walked out. Finally all had the answer. The second from the last
question said, “Do not do any of the questions except the last question on the
test. For you must understand all the other questions to understand it, but if
you understand the last question all the other questions have already been answered.
You will be graded only on this question and your ability to follow
instructions. The instructions for the test told you to read all of the
questions before writing any answers. If you have written any answers on your
paper other than the last question you have just failed this test.
This is just like
our relationship with our great God. We were all given a free will, for God
desires our love, and love can only be given, never forced or taken. But since
we have a free will we are all accountable for what we do in our daily lives.
God has warned us that their will be one final test. We do not know when our
Lord will take us out of this world, we do not know
what day our final test will be given. Believers do not have to be worried
about when the test will be given or the correct answer, because the perfect
answer is written in our hearts from the moment we accepted our Savior. All
true believers will be given eternal life in
Many will feel
relieved that the question is so easy, for it is not hard to say one loves
Jesus. But it is not the hot air coming out of our mouth’s that save us, but
the passion in our hearts. Peter at the Last Supper told Jesus he would never
deny the Savior. Peter was even willing to defend our Master with a sword when
Jesus was arrested. But Peter could not face public humiliation. Today we might
call it peer pressure or even political correctness. Peter denied Jesus three
times, the last time with a curse. Only when Peter was given the Holy Spirit
did he have the strength to stand up for Christ, could he truly answer that he
loved the Lord above all things. When we let the Spirit dwell in our hearts, we
are able to love Jesus above all things.
… Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of
Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time,
Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon,
son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter
was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all
things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus
saith unto him, Feed my sheep (John 21:15-17 KJV).
The answer to the
question of how much we love Jesus answers all the questions on how we will
live our lives. When Jesus is the most important thing in our lives we will do
to the best of our abilities everything our Savior has commanded us to do. We will love others as ourselves, tell the
good news of Christ to all, gladly help the needy as we would want to be
helped, and follow our Lord’s instructions in the Scriptures.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou
wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when
thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird
thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God…(Jn 21:18-19
KJV).
Peter now loved
Jesus enough to die for Him. Peter later in his life would have the strength to
be led to the cross, stretch out his hands, and die the painful death of
crucifixion. Peter was crucified because he would not deny Jesus, because he
loved Jesus more than anything else, even his own life. Because of his great
love for Jesus, Peter was able to glorify God even in his death. This is what
real Christian love, real Christian passion in our hearts is all about. Not
mere words that float into the air, but the passionate love in one’s heart to
give all they have to the one they love the most, Jesus.
Believers
love Jesus above all things, love all others as themselves, strive to live
their lives as their Master would have them. We will never be able to
completely live as our Lord would have us live here on earth, we will always
sin. But that is just another reason why we love our Savior. Jesus loved us enough
to come down from Heaven, become man, and die on a cross to atone for our sins.
When we repent Jesus graciously forgives our sins, they are remembered no more.
True Christians allow the Spirit, to live in our hearts, bring the love of
Christ into our lives, spiritually assure us we are the children of God.
Anytime Jesus asks us, “Do you love me,”
we can humbly proclaim, “Yes Jesus I love you more than anything else. Please
forgive all of my sins and give me the strength to follow you all the days of
my life.”
For to me to live is Christ,
and to die is gain (Phil 1:21 AS).
Copyright
2007 by Ron Borkey