Title: Who Does He Think He Is?/Topic: Success

Today’s Reading: Numbers 21; Numbers 22; Numbers 23; Mark 6; Mark 7

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6
1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Observation: You would think that the people who knew Jesus best (family and friends) would be proud of him and happy to see someone from their own ranks doing miracles and preaching truth with such authority, power and wisdom that the entire country was taking notice. But instead they are offended at him. This is not an uncommon phenomenon. Instead of being proud, there is often an attitude of “how dare he/she think he/she is better than we are!” when someone close does well. So instead of receiving instruction and inspiration from a person well able to give it, others try to keep that person “in their place”. Why? Because if they don't it means that they must deal with why they are not excelling. People like the status quo much better than they like change, even if the change would put them in a better place.

Application: 1) Don't take it personally when others are “naysaying” my dreams or putting me down for trying new things to better myself. 2) I need to make sure that when I see others excelling at something that I do not say negative things about them but put myself in a place to learn from them.

Prayer: Father, my desire is to humble myself in the presence of anyone who can help me excel in good things. May I never have the attitude that I need to find fault with them so as to negate their greatness and keep them in their place. May I always see them as gifts you have given me and may I benefit from their knowledge and character. And let me rise to be a person who can benefit others by leading them to greater heights in life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.