Rabboni: Jesus Was the Best Teacher

Did you know Jesus was a teacher? We think of Him as Savior, Redeemer, Good Shepherd, and Son of God, but He was a great teacher–the greatest. You won’t find His name on a list on the internet as a top world educator, but that is exactly what the title Rabboni means–teacher and master. Actually, Rabboni is the possessive form of the word Rabbi, and it means “my Rabbi.”

My Teacher

This title for Jesus was used by His disciples, both men and women. We don’t think of the women as His disciples. They weren’t among the chosen twelve, but women did travel with Jesus and these men. Luke tells us:

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,  and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Luke 8:1-3 NIV

These women were not ostracized by Jesus. He did not tell them to go back home. We don’t have a record of His invitation for them to join, but Jesus is an inviter. He is always inviting us to minister with Him just as He invited Peter and John. Something in me believes He invited these women too. He taught them also. As they all sat around the campfire at night surely the women gathered with them to hear the wisdom of God Himself. He was their Rabboni. One scripture does give us this assurance.

Mary magdalene and Jesus

On the morning of the resurrection as Mary Magdalene frantically searched for His dead body, she ran into a man she thought was a gardener. It’s such a tender scene. Probably one of my favorite. When Jesus called her name, “Mary,” her eyes were opened to the reality of His life.

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

John 20: 17-18 NIV

I always felt it significant that she called Him “Teacher,” but she called Him more than that. She cried out, “My Teacher!” Take a moment. Let it sink in deep. Mary Magdalene, the one who battled seven demons, the one not known for her sanity or learning–this Mary was given the title of student and the command to announce Jesus’s life to the disciples. This Mary.

Mary of Bethany a student of jesus

Another Mary also learned from this Rabbi. Perhaps she also called Him Rabboni at times. We know her and her sister well. This Mary dared to sit at Jesus’s feet with the other disciples while Martha frantically prepared the meal for the guests. Though most preachers and commentators will focus on Martha’s angst against Mary for not helping in the kitchen, personally, I think Martha was concerned about something else. We live in a day and time when men and women can read and study the Bible and go to church–some churches even preach, but not in biblical days.

The women and men were separated in the Synagogues. Boys continued onto higher learning of the Torah and men became disciples of rabbis. So when Mary sat at His feet to soak in all He shared that night, she was not obeying the cultural rules, but this was Jesus’s reply:

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42 ESV

Mary chose the “good portion”

Many translations use the word “better,” but the simplest meaning of this word is “good.” Lois Tverberg explains that “good portion” is a phrase often used in the context of learning and knowing the Torah.” Jesus was telling Martha to stop worrying about her sister learning the Torah. He promised this would not be taken from her. With every cell in my being I believe Mary of Bethany started something that night when she sat at her Rabboni’s feet. Her act of disobedience became the invitation and example for all women.

The good portion

We don’t have a tangible Jesus with us today. We can’t literally sit at His feet, but we do have the Good Portion–the Word of God. And within this book of wisdom and truth, we have the teachings of Jesus, our Rabboni. Join me this month as we study scriptures about our Teacher and what He taught. Download the printable or snap a picture to have it on your phone or tablet.

Jesus As a teacher

What is your favorite of Jesus’s teachings? Is it one of the parables? Or was it the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, or His conversation with Nicodemus? I’m drawn to the parable of the Prodigal Son and the promise of the Beatitude that the pure in heart will see God. And perhaps in His conversation with Nicodemus I’m so thankful for Jesus’s words, “God did not send His son to condemn the world but to save it.” Oh hallelujah! I’m feeling a prayer coming on. Will you pray with me?

Prayer to our rabboni

“Rabboni, our Teacher, you were and are the greatest of all the teachers of the world. None could challenge your wisdom and knowledge. You hold the secrets of the stars, the logistics of the bumble bee’s miracle, and the instructions for living our best life until you call us home. Your teaching frustrated the religious and invited all people, men and women, rich and poor, sinners and saints to learn from you. Open our minds and hearts as we study these scriptures. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see and the grace to follow your wisdom. We are so thankful for you, Rabboni. We give you praise. Amen and amen.”

If you haven’t made Jesus your Rabboni, the invitation is always open. He is a prayer away. Simply ask and you will receive Him. His grace, His love, His presence, and His salvation. It cost Him everything. Don’t forget. Make Him your Rabboni, your Master and Lord of your life. You’ll never regret it because He is the greatest teacher you can ever have.

YouTube and Faith Friday

If you want to learn more about these scriptures and dig into them with me, join our tribe on Instagram @wordsbyandylee on Fridays at 9:00 AM ET for Faith Friday. Bring your Bible, journal and coffee! If you’re not on the Gram, subscribe to my YouTube channel for the latest content. Every Friday afternoon I upload the recorded message from Faith Friday.

speaking of the Mary’s

If you enjoyed reading about Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany in this post, you may enjoy my book, A Mary Like Me. It’s about all the Mary’s in the Bible. I love them. You will too. Their name means bitter, rebellious, defiant, beloved gift of God. Though they weren’t perfect, God used them in amazing ways. And He uses us too. We’re all flawed yet called. It’s available on Amazon, or you can order a signed copy from me on my shop here.

Blessings!

Andy