I have been teaching professionally for 39 years. Where has all that time gone? Over that period of time that I have had thousands of students in class, on the job, and at internship sites. It is hard to imagine interacting with that many students. After all this time, I still love being a teacher. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue doing what I love.

Doug Creamer writes a religion column for the SNAP.

Teachers are expected to do far more than teach curriculum. We are expected to be disciplinarians and medics. We have to know how to encourage slower students and motivate high-flying students. We have to be counselors to students who are going through various trials and troubles at home, work and school. We are also expected to teach students important life skills while also insuring that they pass standardized tests. We have to help our students understand and deal with local tragedies like the passing of a classmate and world events like 9/11. We are expected to be cheerleaders and life coaches. When the students go home our work is not done because we have to call parents, plan lessons for tomorrow and grade papers.

That is not even close to a complete list because I didn’t include sponsoring clubs, coaching sports, working gate duties, lunch and hall duties, attending open houses, and attending other evening events like award programs. There are never enough hours in a day. On top of all that you have to remember that teachers have personal lives and the demands of our families.

One of the roles Jesus had while He was on earth was teacher. Some people believe that He supernaturally knew everything, including how to teach. I do not believe that. I believe that Jesus had to spend some quiet time alone thinking about ways to teach His disciples and the crowds. He had to develop relevant examples that His listeners could understand and connect with on a personal level. Jesus had to create lesson plans.

We know Jesus taught with parables. Parables are stories with a lesson or a moral. Why would Jesus use parables? I think one reason is that they are easy to remember. We all remember stories we heard from our parents or grandparents. Stories have been told since the dawn of time and they are powerful tools in the hands of a good teacher.

Jesus taught us many things by example. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He was teaching them the importance of serving others. There are so many things that need to be done around churches and your pastor would be thankful for any help you could provide. Jesus taught us to forgive those who wrong us. When Jesus was on the cross He asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him. He taught us the importance of restoring people because He restored Peter after he denied knowing Jesus three times. Jesus taught us the hard lesson of obedience when He asked the Father if He could save humanity without going to the cross. Jesus told the Father, “Nevertheless, not what I want but your will be done.” Jesus, we thank you for teaching us this hard lesson and for paying the price for our sins.

Jesus taught us many other things. He taught us how to pray. He gave us a great example in the Lord’s Prayer, which most of us can quote. Jesus taught us about how much our Father in Heaven loves us through the parable of the prodigal son. He taught us that the Father is willing to leave the 99 sheep and come looking for us when we have strayed and gotten lost. Jesus taught us that He came to set us free. He came for us to be healed physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He wants us to live full and blessed lives, knowing we are forgiven.

I want to encourage you meet the greatest teacher who ever lived and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. He died to give you access to your Heavenly Father. He loves you beyond what you can imagine. He has done everything to make a way for you, but you have to take the critical step of accepting this wonderful gift from God. Complete forgiveness is available for you. Peace of mind, in spite of your circumstances, is yours. Joy, which is far greater than happiness, comes through a relationship with Jesus.

Here is one more important step He wants you to take: He wants you to share this good news with others. Don’t keep it to yourself, give it away, especially now at Easter.

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041 or doug@dougcreamer.com.