Webster says "One who has the care of instructing another in various branches or in any branch of human learning."
When I was a student, I never had one. I took a few piano and voice lessons, maybe that counts....
I paid a tutor once, an algebra tutor....(shudder....) I certainly couldn't help our son with his algebra, so we paid someone to step in.
I've done some tutoring I guess....certainly not algebra!, but I've taught the law of color to hairdressers, and the principles of shape.
As I read thru scripture and see Jesus' most intimate followers still not 'getting it', my first response is always one of impatience. Why did they not get it? How could they still misunderstand? How plain did it have to be?
"Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you shall follow later. Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You."(John 13:36-37)
"Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" (John 14:5)
"Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." (John 14:8)
"Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us, and not to the world?" (John 14:11)
It is easy to read the account recorded in scripture and be impatient with these people. After all Jesus had taught, after all he had done....they still didn't get it. It just didn't make sense, didn't match up to anything they were expecting.
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;...that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you"(John 14:16-18 emphasis mine)
This morning, I purpose to give them a break.
This morning, I praise Him for giving me a break.
Not until these intimate followers of Jesus had recieved the Holy Spirit did they really 'get it'.
Not until these disciples of our God in flesh were sent the Holy Tutor did they 'get it'.
And so it was with me. So it is with you. Jesus knew we would need tutoring just as those intimate few did. After that Holy Tutor came to them, they were forever changed. Scripture from Genesis forward totally clicked. They 'got it'. Beginning to end.
I continue to be amazed with each new thing that I 'get'.
Day after day.
Page after page.
Life situation after life situation.
I have a Tutor in it all. And He is incredible.
