Is your Social Position a Stumbling block?

John12:42-43 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

When we are given human respect, at work, in church, in social places like sports clubs or games, we sometimes think that Jesus should also know that we are big. We will expect Jesus to understand why we cannot dance for him in church, or have sincere prayers in public, or kneel down when my suit is expensive, or be seen praying loudly or crying to Jesus in church.

Jared, a learned wealthy intelligent man, some years ago was going through some challenges. He went around seeking advise on how to solve the problem that seemed to be beyond human intelligence. He met a friend, who recommended that he attends a service, or a retreat, or goes for counselling from a spiritual father, so as get a solution.

His answer was very unexpected. He asked for the qualifications of the godly person doing counselling or doing retreat. He was used to professionals. And had forgotten the role of the holyspirit. Well, the problem persisted, until he ended up getting directions from the same place he had objected.

John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night, to avoid being criticised by public. He was trying to avoid discomfort, or loss of his position, or any form of trouble.

Mathew 18:3 And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

A child from an extremely wealthy family, or a child of a president, will not know the difference between them and the poor. That is why they will act or speak without fear. But then, we are socialized in to different beings as we grow.

Have I allowed class, or education, or job position, or church position, to affect my effectiveness in doing what Jesus has called me to do?