Mr. Know-It-All
Robb Hadley
Fayetteville, AR
5/20/98
Mr. Know-It-All
In Hebrews 5.8, we read these astounding words concerning Jesus: “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” This amazing verse teaches us that Jesus Christ—God in the flesh—had something to learn!
Jesus was teachable. As a child, Jesus “continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom…” (Luke 2.40.) Being teachable is essential to learning and growth. We will never become more than what we are if we refuse to listen and learn.
As a kid, one of my favorite cartoon programs was the Bullwinkle show. One of the segments on this half-hour of intellectual stimulation was called “Mr. Know-it-All.” The joke, you may remember, was that Mr. Know-it-All knew not much.
The problem for Mr. Know-it-All and those like him is they never learn anything. Like a C-B radio with a keyed microphone, they cannot receive, they can only transmit. In addition to making others want to run for their lives when they join a conversation, they deprive themselves of that which would improve them.
At church business meetings, they dominate discussion. In Bible class they drone on about what they have seen and done and who they talked to and what they said and just about everything in general except what the Bible says on a topic.
Jesus was well acquainted with Mr. Know-it-All and his tribe. On several occasions, He spoke of those who had ears but could not hear and eyes but could not see. These people simply were not teachable.
Jesus was. Are you?
—ROBB HADLEY
Fayetteville, Ark.
