The first time I ever heard the title professor emeritus I was quite impressed. It was at a graduation service and I thought it meant the prof was super good. Little did I know it had more to do with being OLD than with the quality of past lectures. When I opened my mail today a card fell out of an envelope containing, you guessed it, an “Emeritus Commissioned Ministry of Teaching Credential.” To reinforce the situation, in order to read the card I had to get out a magnifying glass.
Since it did not reflect the quality of decades of classroom performance I spent the afternoon wondering about what I do do that is good. I have come to the conclusion I am a very good sinner. I realize that is an oxymoron but I am very good at sinning and then skilled at trying to cover it up. I should receive a credential recognizing that skill.
Paul must have felt that way when he wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst.” I Timothy 1:15. He also wrote the following about himself. “Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8. He said he was less than the least. With Paul it wasn’t about Paul. It was all about Jesus. In Mark 2:17 we read this wonderful verse, “On hearing this, Jesus told them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”
Therefore if you also belong to the “good sinners club” rejoice and be exceedingly happy because Jesus loves you very much.
Written by Roger Bothwell on May 24, 2017
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