Discounting Greatness

SCRIPTURE: Mark 5:1-6
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: The people of Jesus' hometown were amazed at him, but not for the right reason. They were offended that he taught with wisdom and did miracles. What right did he have to speak with authority and do impossible miracles? After all, wasn't he just a carpenter's son? Wasn't he from a family that everyone knew to be from humble circumstances? And after all, wasn't there even some question about the legitimacy of his birth? How dare he presume to do or be anything great! How dare he be greater than those whose families were of a more noble and educated pedigree!

APPLICATION: It's easy to see the fault of the people in Jesus' hometown. But I think we need to ask ourselves if we do the same thing they did. Do we look down on others that don't have a particular amount of education? Would we be surprised if a plumber prayed for our healing and it actually happened? Would we give credence to a maid who spoke a deep spiritual truth to us or would we discount it because she had a low socio-economic position? Would we let a person who was a ranch hand come and speak in our church even if he had a track record of effectiveness in prayer? I'm not so sure. Maybe we better look into our hearts and let the Holy Spirit shine the light of truth to see if we need to repent of condescension toward others who have not achieved our level of "success".

PRAYER: Father, search me and try me and see if there be any wicked way in me. I do not want to consider myself better than anyone else due to education, economics, language skill or anything else by which we judge and separate ourselves from others. May I be open to all your servants no matter who they are or where they come from. I want to learn from anyone who has your wisdom to share with me. Keep us as a Body open to all the gifts you have placed among us. May we not be guilty of thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought and may we give others the honor they are due. In Jesus' Name, Amen.