The world’s most important classroom
Recently, during one of my many train journeys, I read a small posted billboard. It spoke of “the world’s most important classroom.” A rather thought provoking headline, isn’t it? It referred to a website with the same name. Behind the initiative was an environmental organization. The website states that you can “share thoughts, ideas, and sometimes even be included in solutions on how we can, together, save the world a little bit every day.”
Throughout all ages, countries and cultures there have been issues that have been deemed important and crucial for each generation. Today, in our western society the issues seem to be focused on the environment, peace and equality. We believe them worthy and important enough to prioritize them. The strange thing is that even though environmental awareness, eagerness for peace and the focus for striving for equality seem greater than ever, most people still think that the world is heading in the wrong direction. Could this have something to do with having prioritized wrongly?
Jesus came to the Jewish people 2000 years ago. The most important issues then had to do with the Roman oppression of the nation Israel which they had given the name of Palestine, after their old arch enemies, the Philistines. When, where and how would the Messiah set up his kingdom, frequently prophesied by the Jewish prophets, were without a doubt the questions that were of greatest importance and value then.
When Jesus in John chapter 3 meets Nicodemus, a righteous Pharisee, we see how this man strived to see the Messianic kingdom established. But as it clearly states in John 3:3; no one can see the kingdom if he or she is not born again. Nicodemus and all the religious leaders had misplaced faith. They relied on their own ability to become righteous by the works of the law, which is impossible according to Scripture (Romans 3:19-20). Paul explains it in the following verses, it is through faith in Him, Jesus Christ, who has fulfilled the law in our place, that one is justified (saved) before God (Romans 3:20-21).
Now, in the same way, today, we seem to be focusing on social and worldly problems instead of realizing that the truly important question for us, and for all previous generations, is and should have been what the jailer asked Paul and Silas: “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). We do not know how the conversation with Nicodemus continued, but it is reasonable to assume that it must have taken a while, even if the Holy Spirit has chosen to represent only a small part of the conversation. In any case, Nicodemus was, during that time, in “The world’s most important classroom.” How often do we, ourselves, reside in this classroom? Even though Jesus does not walk the earth physically today we have access to this classroom through the Holy Spirit’s teaching, which He sent after His resurrection and ascension.
The Roman occupation and the establishment of the kingdom was important to Nicodemus and his generation. For our generation, it seems to be the environment, peace and equality. But, what should the most important question be? Now, just as then, there is no doubt it is, “are you born again”? How does this happen? The jailer got a clear answer; “have Faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Can you learn this in “the world’s most important classroom”? If not, then a new question arises, one asked by the Lord Jesus himself: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?” What good is it if we have the cleanest air, have stopped every war and that every man has his rights yet still not be born again?
Is “The world’s most important classroom” available in this world? No! So where is it then? At the feet of Jesus, that is, where His Word is taught. There, and only there can we learn not only how we are saved, but how we can grow in the grace and knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18).