Jesus Works the Room?

USGN Article - August 2001

Terry & Barbi Franklin

Written by Terry Franklin

From the time we are young we all want to let the world know of our talents and abilities. It’s just human nature to want to broadcast our brilliance — to anyone who will listen — particularly when we are young. It’s only when we become older that we often find we were not as brilliant as we had expected.

Remember Jesus in the Temple as a young boy? Since He was (and is) the "...Word made flesh...", He knew the word of God...intuitively — with a deftness not seen before.

Imagine this conversation between two of the Pharisees: "Hey Tom, You see that kid from Nazareth?" "Yeah, He’s amazing. You were right, Nick — the kid’s a natural. A talent like his only comes along every 50 years or so..." "Did you see the way He handled our guys questions? It was like he knew the answer before they even asked!! He can flat work a crowd! Nick, if we groom this kid the right way — I mean, we’re talking BIG things for the Temple. I know, I know, He’s from the wrong side of the tracks, but we can work with that...you know, ‘a man of the people’ type of thing."

Jesus was tempted in all ways just like us...and not just in the wilderness. I’m sure that, just as every young person wants to make their mark, He heard the flattery of men like these. "Jesus, give us a couple of years; we’ll set you up...you’ll see — things will get better and better...." He heard them gushing about his great abilities. But He didn’t buy into it.

And, although His genius never diminished over time, He never used it to promote Himself. He only came to do the will and speak the words of the Father and to glorify Him.

It would have been easy to listen to the flattery of others...but He didn’t. And gang, WE should be very careful to beware of flattery, particularly from those in positions of power and authority lest we be led astray. We should be about the same business that Jesus was...to glorify the Father and serve others. Our brilliance will only carry us so far.

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