I've been taking a (Christian) marine biology class for a year now. We had to take a final exam this week, and it was supposed to be really long and difficult.
So I studied really hard for it, and I'm sure the other students did too.
When I took the test, the teacher had answered all of the questions for us. There were a lot of questions, though I don't remember the exact number.
My teacher wrote something like this at the end of the test:
"So, you will have noticed that this test has all the answers given to you. This is because the creator of the exam has put herself in your place, and took the test for you. They are all correct. Your score on the final is 100%. No joke.
Whether you deserved a high score or not, whether you studied for hours or not - the work has been done for you. The only ones who will not get 100% are the ones who choose not to take the test at all - they are rejecting the gift offered by the creator of the exam. Just as can happen in this life with what God offers us through the work of Jesus Christ.
You have just experienced grace. This is but a glimmer of what Jesus Christ did for us.
Now, like the laborers hired in the morning in the parable of the vineyard (Matthew 20), some of you worked long preparing for this exam. Some of you scarcely studied, and, like the workers hired late in the day, you are receiving the same benefit as those who have done more work. You might feel a tinge of grumbling about this, as did the early workers. Grace is getting a blessing we do not deserve - and this grace is yours, if you want it."
I was one of the ones that studied a long time for that test, and I was not expecting this at all. The teacher said that she actually decided to do this at the last minute, even though she had a regular final exam ready.
This cheered me up so much and I was so surprised. Not just because I don't have to take a really difficult test, but because of the way my teacher did it and reminded us of what Jesus did.
This was the best (and most creative) way I've had a class end before. If for some reason I ever become a teacher, I'm going to do this.
So I studied really hard for it, and I'm sure the other students did too.
When I took the test, the teacher had answered all of the questions for us. There were a lot of questions, though I don't remember the exact number.
My teacher wrote something like this at the end of the test:
"So, you will have noticed that this test has all the answers given to you. This is because the creator of the exam has put herself in your place, and took the test for you. They are all correct. Your score on the final is 100%. No joke.
Whether you deserved a high score or not, whether you studied for hours or not - the work has been done for you. The only ones who will not get 100% are the ones who choose not to take the test at all - they are rejecting the gift offered by the creator of the exam. Just as can happen in this life with what God offers us through the work of Jesus Christ.
You have just experienced grace. This is but a glimmer of what Jesus Christ did for us.
Now, like the laborers hired in the morning in the parable of the vineyard (Matthew 20), some of you worked long preparing for this exam. Some of you scarcely studied, and, like the workers hired late in the day, you are receiving the same benefit as those who have done more work. You might feel a tinge of grumbling about this, as did the early workers. Grace is getting a blessing we do not deserve - and this grace is yours, if you want it."
I was one of the ones that studied a long time for that test, and I was not expecting this at all. The teacher said that she actually decided to do this at the last minute, even though she had a regular final exam ready.
This cheered me up so much and I was so surprised. Not just because I don't have to take a really difficult test, but because of the way my teacher did it and reminded us of what Jesus did.
This was the best (and most creative) way I've had a class end before. If for some reason I ever become a teacher, I'm going to do this.
