Press the arrow to listen to Nichole Nordeman’s sing “Brave” along with the adventures of a first time sky diver in New Zealand.

Scripture
Ignore them.–Jesus Christ Matthew 15:14

Observation
Remember the climax of the Wizard of Oz, with the trembling foursome knock knees in the Emerald City in the presence of the Great Oz? But little Toto was not afraid and revealed that behind the curtain was just a little old man. Life is like that. There are people who can intimidate us, not because they are daunting, but because our fear has distorted them beyond reality. In God’s eyes they are puny, but in our eyes they are intimidating.

The disciples were daunted by the Pharisees. Everyone else was too. In the pecking order, they were at the top in their flowing robes and framed credentials. They were the religious traffic cops and the disciples had feared them all of their lives, until Jesus came.

Jesus spoke two releasing words: ignore them. That may sound rebelliously tempting, but remember Jesus ignored the Pharisees and paid with his life…and got more in return!

The disciples sheepishly whispered to Jesus, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” There are moments we do the same, when our world view is not God’s view of life. While we need to submit to authority, learn from others, have a humble heart, and more, nonetheless the opinion of some people isn’t worth the price of yesterday’s paper. And yet we bow and scrape to their wagging fingers because we won’t listen to Jesus and follow him.

Jesus said then and says now, “Ignore them.” They are blindfolded tour guides. This is not an excuse for unkindness, but it is permission to have courage to follow Jesus through a maze of pointing fingers, waging tongues and shaking heads.

Application
If we are to be where Jesus is (and who does not desire that!) we must discern what to hear and what to ignore and have the courage to keep walking on with Jesus. Some Pharisees like Nicodemus may follow, but many will not. It is ours, however, to be where Jesus is.

Prayer
Father, I ask for continued courage to keep on walking. I’m glad that ignoring others does not come easily for me. I believe you love my heart tender. So protect my soft underside with the hide of a rhinoceros. Amen.