It’s hard for me to accept ideas that didn’t originate within me. That might just be human nature. When I am trying to solve a problem and get stuck, then I look at a youtube video, call my dad, or ask an expert. Maybe its pride, maybe its the thrill of figuring it out on my own. Sometimes I am my own worst enemy, because someone is available with the answers I need, but I neglect to reach out and ask or accept their help. This unwillingness to receive is what I call the “Not Invented Here Syndrome”. The religious leaders were that way with Jesus. His gospel was not what they wanted to hear. It wasn’t invented with them and their interpretation of scripture. And so, they rejected it and Him, to their own detriment!
On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, and they declared, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” But He replied to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” They discussed among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, since they are convinced that John was a prophet.” And so they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:1-8 NASB
What great advice, godly counsel or information am I missing simply because of pride? Who has God placed in my life as sources of wisdom?
God, as this day begins- a Sunday with corporate worship, would you gather Your people in person and online for preparation for the week ahead? May we glorify You in what we say, sing, read, and do. Thank you for the joy of being together. And if there is godly wisdom to be received, may we open our hearts and minds to it. In Jesus name, amen.
