UNIT 2: WISDOM IN THE GOSPELS
The Wisdom of Jesus | Bible Background • MARK 6:1–6; 7:1–23
Printed Text • MARK 6:1–6 | Devotional Reading • MARK 7:14–23
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of the lesson, we will: IDENTIFY the reason or reasons the people in Nazareth could not accept the wisdom of Jesus, REPENT of the occasions when Jesus’ words made us feel offended instead of accepting them as wisdom, and COMMIT to accepting the words of Jesus even when they challenge us.
IN FOCUS
Hassan gathered his things, thanked Mrs. Jenkins for her time, and got up to leave. She walked with him to the door and said, “Be sure to tell your mama we’re praying for her. See you on Sunday at church.”
As he walked down the steps toward his car, Hassan wondered if Mrs. Jenkins had heard a word he said. He was volunteering as a community organizer trying to encourage people to vote. Mrs. Jenkins was on the board of trustees of the biggest church in his territory, and he hoped she would see her way clear to having a meeting there.
Hassan was as personable and charming as he knew how to be, but Mrs. Jenkins, he knew, always looked down on his family. They were considered outsiders; they were renters, not homeowners, and his parents hadn’t gone to the same high school as the longtime neighborhood fixtures. People wouldn’t see him as anything other than “Foster Edwards’ boy.” His years away at college and abroad, and his work to show people how to get the most out of their government services didn’t count with them.
Hassan sat behind the steering wheel of his car and sighed. He offered a quick prayer that he might find a more open heart and listening ear before his next appointment.
Even if people can’t see you for who you have become, God knows what is in your heart. Do we understand that it is more important to please Him than to please others?