“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 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. (Mark.6.3)
Jesus couldn’t do much in his own village because they took him for granted. (Mark.6:5) When our leader becomes familiar to us, the grace of God on their lives will not benefit us. How can an anointing we neither respect nor recognize impact us?
With that attitude, if the familiar leader suddenly switches to an unfamiliar dimension, it shocks the lights out of us to a point of being offended! Why? What was Jesus offence to merit digging of his background? “I know him. This is not meant for him!” Then to whom is it meant? Us? Our minds struggle in shock and painful denial because we have all along mentally placed our leader in a kind of controlled environment but the leader is now out of our familiar reach! And why would a person respond so ridiculously like that to an innocent and progressive man if the problem wasn’t hidden in their heart?
This poor attitude of “I know the boundaries of this fellow” limits the move of the Holy Spirit in such lives because it is pride. Familiarity questions wisdom of the leader. Remember how Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him? “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” (Matt.16:22) It also breeds rebellion and makes one to openly challenge authority like Sheba son of Bicri whose end was sad. (2Sam 20:1) It also makes common what is uncommon and encourages complacency.
God given authority is bestowed on leaders for impact (Luke.4:18) Recognize that grace in order to humbly tap on it. Let’s position our hearts well to always see beyond the vessel.
And when we know much about a leader’s family income, children etc., we wisely use that information to honor and bless otherwise streams of life meant to flow to us from them will dry out!
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