More Than You Think
Yesterday, we read of Sadducees coming to test Jesus, before that, the chief priests sent the Pharisees to question our Lord. We read these over the course of a couple of days, but the events all happen together in Mark’s gospel. What I love is the progression. The chief priest couldn’t contend with Jesus so they sent the Pharisees. The Pharisees failed so the Sadducees thought they could do a better job. Next, along comes a scribe. Today’s reading tells us of a scribe that comes to ask Jesus a question. A scribe had none of the authority of the chief priests, the Pharisees, or the Sadducees. They were merely the ones who wrote everything down. They were the secretaries of the ancient world. What I love about all of this is that it was the least of these important people who finally understood what Jesus was teaching. It was to a scribe that Jesus said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” All that he lacked was understanding that the man before him was the Son of God, the Messiah he had been praying for.
When I first began writing devotions and Bible studies, I wrestled with a feeling of inadequacy. I was not formally educated. I did not attend a bible college. I had not been trained under a wise person who imparted their knowledge to me. I loved the Lord and couldn’t get enough of His word. I was just me, but I was who God was calling to teach. I wonder if this scribe compared himself to the ‘important’ men he wrote things down for. I wonder if they harassed him because he dared to question Jesus when they had failed to trap him. I wonder if he knew he was right where God wanted him to be.
God doesn’t look at us the way the world sees us. He doesn’t compare our monthly incomes. He could care less what men think of our success. He sees our heart and hears its quiet reflections as well as trumped up boasts. When we are walking were God set our feet, we cannot lose. When we step out in faith to do what He created us to do, we will see a different type of success. The Pharisees and other learned men wanted to disprove Jesus, but in so doing, they showed their lack of understanding. Time and time again, Jesus rebuked these men for their error. The simple scribe had a deeper understanding of the truth than these men who wanted everyone to believe they knew it all, and it was him that Jesus praised.
We should not compare ourselves with those the world says are important or prestigious. None of that matters. What matters is far inside us. It bubbles out of us with our every word and deed. It shapes our responses and colors our responses. We may not have the credentials to do great things, but if we are trusting in God and leaning on Him, we will do great things. God doesn’t use the ones who think they already know everything. He uses the rest of us. He uses those who know they still have a lot to learn because that means we are open to Him guidance. He uses those of us who understand that it is God’s power flowing through our lives that enables us to succeed because the humble still depend on Him instead of themselves. God doesn’t use those who believe they already know which way to go and how to get there because the soft heart is eager to be guided by the Truth. Don’t worry if you aren’t prepared enough, strong enough, smart enough, or qualified enough. God is the one working through you. All you have to do is obey faithfully.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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