You had those teachers, who were so susceptible to their students’ feigned interest that they could be enticed to use up the whole class period on some esoteric topic and run out of time for the intended the pop quiz.

There’s something about a test that makes us anxious. We may fail. Our weakness, inadequacy, ignorance will be exposed. We know that every one of us can be given a test that we will fail. It all depends on the test. Whether it be naming all the state capitals or the books of the Bible or running a 10 minute mile, there are more tests that we will fail than pass.

Jesus taught us in his prayer to say: “Do not put us to the test…Lead us not into temptation.” James, in his letter, will tell us that temptation doesn’t come from God – the origin is our desire (1:13-16). Jesus kne…