The Toughest Job In The World

I think we can all agree: not everyone is called to be a teacher. Teaching is hard. Teachers have not only to engage their students and capture their attention; they must also find a way to make their instruction memorable. And, more to the point, The teacher must take responsibility for what he or she teaches.

James 3:1 says, "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

Why would that be? Why will God judge the teacher differently than He would anyone else? Does that sound just? Or fair? 

Well, as a matter of fact, it is just. It's not a calling for everyone precisely because the job of the teacher is so important. It is the teacher -- from the public school desk to the pulpit -- who shapes and molds the mind and spirit. It is the teacher who has taken, or been given, the mantle of authority -- and with authority, responsibility -- over the instruction of the rest of us. What we know comes, at least in part, from our teachers. 

This means every teacher will be held to account for that which they teach. If they teach falsely, they will be held responsible for their false teaching. 

That's a heavy responsibility to bear, and I don't envy those who are called to it. But they do it. The teacher puts himself or herself on the line to be of service to the pupil, the Christian teacher in service to God. 

For that reason, the Teacher ought to be honored. Not just on National Teacher's Day, but every day.