Sabbath School lesson MONDAY FEBRUARY 3 Transforming the “Common” Read John 2:1–11 and Matthew 15:32–39. How did Jesus use sim- ple, everyday desires and needs to make disciples and transform lives? Ordinary” people share natural physical, emotional, and social desires. They want physical nourishment, personal significance, and friendship. Jesus understood these characteristics, placing Himself in social situations that provided opportunities to reach people through these universal desires. Whether Jesus was changing water into unfermented wine from the fruit of the vine, or turning fishermen into preachers (Mark 1:16–18), He specialized in transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Onlookers frequently questioned Jesus’ personal credentials (Mark 6:3). They questioned the absence of ostentation. Because they longed for the extraordinary, they overlooked that which they considered to be ordinary and did so at what was potentially an eternal loss. So often Jesus sought people who were considered to be ordinary because, lacking self-sufficiency, they were prepared to trust God completely for their success. People who are enamored by their tal-ents, abilities, and accomplishments cannot often sense their need of something greater than themselves. What a horrible deception! Many among Christ’s contemporaries possessed superior academic training, social position, or personal wealth. Nevertheless, their names have long been forgotten. Remembered, however, are ordinary people— farmers, fisher men, carpenters, shepherds, potters, housewives, domes-tic servants—who were transformed into extraordinary witnesses for Christ. We all tend to be a little enamored by the very successful and the very rich, don’t we? How much of that attitude do you see in yourself ? How can you learn to keep before yourself the value of all people, regardless of their status, fame, or wealth?
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 06:01:51 +0000
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