Jesus stood apart from those seeking political influence or high positions in the religious establishment, and His refusal to be crowned king was a key part of His mission. That decision emphasized the importance of His spiritual kingship and His rejection of earthly power. It is a major theme in the New Testament, reflecting the varied reactions to His role as the Messiah. He was meant for kingship, but He chose to wait for God’s timing instead of accepting a crown that people offered too soon.
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself (John 6:14–15 NIV).
Jesus acted differently from ordinary people because He remained committed to God’s timing rather than chasing opportunities. He refused to be crowned by others, choosing instead to wait for God’s appointed moment. In this world, people often become excited about opportunities, but Jesus chose a different path. The same principle should guide those entering Christianity. Opportunity is something most people are expected to seize.
Jesus was born of a woman, just like anyone else, yet He was free from the burdens of humanity tied to culture and tradition. His privilege was a depth of knowledge that others could not access. He knew the purpose of His life on earth and focused solely on fulfilling His mission. No human is born without a purpose, yet there are three reasons people fail to achieve theirs.
The First Obstacle: Ignorance
The first is ignorance, which could be reversed by confessing it and displaying willingness to learn. People come into the world unaware of their purpose, born to parents who also live in ignorance and rely on assumptions. The environment is driven by opportunities that people do not create; whether those opportunities are present or absent, they shape a person’s destiny, and God may not even be involved in that process. Whether or not it makes someone seem successful, any opportunity that ignores a person’s ignorance is misguided, as it merely boosts the ego without leading to any real accomplishment.
The Second Obstacle: Invalidation
The second is invalidation from parents or peers. Parents often take an authoritarian approach, not allowing children to think for themselves. They often exert authority over their children even when the child displays talents surpassing their own or exceeding the limitations of their surroundings. In rural areas, children are expected to stick to subsistence farming, which is seen as the only path to survival.
Jesus faced invalidation from others, prompting Him to cease ministering in certain places, showing that He was not treated differently from how ordinary people are treated in this world. People, especially those from poor families, are frequently judged, with societal pressures trying to dictate the roles they should fulfill.
Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith (Matthew 13:54–58 NIV).
Rejected by His own community for knowledge that challenged traditional norms, Jesus was forced to take His mission elsewhere. Rather than offering support, His relatives were offended and disapproved of His extraordinary knowledge. They found no fault in what He taught, except that they believed He did not deserve honor for wisdom surpassing that of traditional leaders. If He had been ordinary, He might have given up and ended His ministry. Often, possessing unusually advanced knowledge can turn someone into a laughing stock.
In Zimbabwe, talented individuals are sometimes blocked from showcasing their skills when those abilities threaten to dwarf those in power. One notable example is Daniel Chingoma, who gained attention in early 2003 after building a helicopter from scrap metal. He was prohibited from flying it in Zimbabwe and received no assistance to further develop his talents. The official explanation was that his technical skills did not come from traditional training institutions. Many people believe knowledge can only be acquired through formal schooling.
This kind of dismissal tends to hit Black individuals harder than white individuals, as Blackness is often viewed in the most degrading way. Authoritarian leaders feel uneasy when knowledge is gained outside conventional channels, and those who show unusual abilities are seen as unacceptable. If Daniel Chingoma had been a foreigner from a Western country, he might have been taken more seriously. Authorities viewed his creation of the chikopokopo as a threat to their authoritarian control. The tendency to dismiss unconventional innovators exists globally, though it is often more pronounced in Africa.
Those who invalidate others are frequently products of the same invalidation, having failed to achieve much in life for similar reasons. When people succumb to invalidation, they begin to doubt themselves and question their sanity. There is nothing inherently different between nations that produce nuclear technology and those that do not—it is not about race but about authoritarianism. This is why visionaries like Steve Jobs were once seen as rebels before being celebrated for their achievements in cellular phone technology.
The individuals who truly change the world are those willing to break the rules and pursue their purpose. Ultimately, progress is not tied to race but is often hindered by authoritarians who act as if they know everything and block new ideas. Sometimes people with unique talents lack self-belief; they remain comfortable in doubt and never question their purpose. This leads to another cause of failure—fear—which becomes the third obstacle to success.
The Third Obstacle: Fear
Fear is a basic human condition, especially for those who have faced tough circumstances without encouragement. While successful people often take risks, risk-taking should not be mistaken for empty money-making schemes. Making money without adding value is wrong, yet in a struggling country like Zimbabwe, it is often celebrated as heroic. Success should be measured by how many people benefit rather than by how much is accumulated. Cowardice is described among those aiming at wealth accumulation for themselves rather than for benefiting others. The majority of people believe their dreams are achievable but still feel intimidated, even without outside discouragement, due to focusing on personal security.
Many spend more time talking about failures than successes, neglecting the responsibility to solve problems. Growing up in oppressive environments can make it seem wrong to take charge of good ideas. This is self-denial confused with humility, but it shows humanity’s mental confinement. Jesus taught freedom, yet the fearful often miss its importance. They focus on worshiping His personality instead of embracing Jesus’ mission, as described in Luke 4:16–21.
Purpose, Education, and Human Dignity
No one, whether in a mental institution or elsewhere, was created without purpose. When creation was complete, God declared it very good (Genesis 1:31), meaning every person was intentionally created. Those who appear purposeless are often victims of oppression. Jesus brought freedom, enabling each person to live true to themselves without worrying about others’ opinions. Like Jesus, anyone can dedicate themselves to fulfilling their God-given purpose.
One of the most fascinating truths about our world is that humanity is the only species that requires education to learn the principles of survival. Without it, people can be more vulnerable than even the least capable creatures in the animal kingdom. Yet humans have an inherent ability to solve any problem imaginable. As Jesus pronounced, with faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing is impossible for us—though there is often a tendency to resist knowledge.
If everything God created was truly good, this includes people made in His image, even though they later became corrupted in the Garden of Eden. Any confusion about what was considered “very good” at creation was settled. From this perspective, promotions or positions of superiority are superficial. Everyone has unique abilities, and it is interesting how natural talent often leads to less boasting than those who are trained but lack innate skill.
Education, when pursued properly, should remind a person of what they already know, as they were created to be. Academic accomplishments have little to do with one’s true purpose in life. People should be guided by their natural abilities, not the whims of those who claim authority. Leaders are often given more respect than they deserve, while others are treated as inferior, diminishing the value of their creation in God’s image.
The uniqueness of each person should be honored as much as God is honored. Even those wearing worn, torn clothing deserve respect just as much as God does. Rather than despising or invalidating others, one should help them discover their personal identities and roles in society. If not born to teach, one should never wish or envy becoming a teacher. If unable to sing, there is no reason to desire being a singer. If born to sing, one would do so in a way unlike any other, incomparable even to those successful in music.
Cooperation Instead of Competition
There is nothing wrong with admiring others’ talents without feeling envious, just as there is nothing wrong with being admired for your own abilities without inspiring jealousy. Life feels richer when we embrace cooperation over competition. Those gifted in certain areas benefit more from collaboration than from the bitterness of people who focus on tearing them down. Those who took offense at Jesus’ remarkable knowledge could have gained much by learning from Him and supporting His ministry to benefit more people.
One of the clearest biblical examples of regressive behavior comes from King Saul. For forty days, he was humiliated by Goliath and faced the threat of losing his kingship after the Philistines’ domineering boast. He wished for someone in his ranks to take on the challenge and free Israel from this threat. David appeared and did the unthinkable—defeating the towering Philistine giant and rescuing Israel from disgrace.
Instead of honoring young David for his victory, Saul plotted his death. How unreasonable for a man of Saul’s stature! Through Samuel, God had already told Saul that He would no longer recognize him as King of Israel. Saul’s actions were the opposite of David’s behavior after his own failure in the sin involving Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11–12 / Samuel 16 and 17). Saul’s behavior attempted to undo God’s plan, unlike Moses’ attitude, which pleased the Lord.
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name” (Exodus 33:15–17 NIV).
Communication and Listening
Progressive information is not blocked by anything except the belief that one is better than others. People who think they are more informed often do not pay attention to those with a lower profile. The best listening skill is paying attention to any person, regardless of their background. Sources of information come from two opposing origins: God and Satan. Good listening helps discern whether information is progressive—from God—or regressive—from Satan. Humans act merely as channels accordingly, regardless of their status in society.
Communication may be the most important skill in the world, helping us understand each other without making assumptions. Parents often clash with teenagers because of poor communication. For instance, a child might be destined to become a professional dancer, but if the parents’ background causes them to dismiss dancing, conflict can arise. They might link their child’s interest to negative perceptions of dance, perhaps from seeing a disgraced dancer before, and conclude that all dancing is wrong. However, humans are not meant for comparison.
The child may struggle to understand such behavior. Communication can clear up these misunderstandings. James proposed the most effective principle of communication: “be quick to listen and slow to speak” (James 1:19). Without listening, no one can truly benefit from anything. Still, communication is not always effective, as people often connect current conversations to past experiences. Each conversation should be treated as a fresh moment in time.
In less developed areas, communication is often puzzling. But even Jesus was misunderstood by His own relatives, as His message was too unfamiliar for those lacking knowledge (Mark 3:20-34). New ideas are almost always met with resistance, and fear makes ordinary people cling to tradition. Galileo’s groundbreaking telescope discoveries could not be freely shared because they threatened those in power. Skeptics leave little room for free thinkers.
People tend to align themselves with what is widely accepted without examining it for themselves. Fresh ideas are often viewed with suspicion, and many prefer to live according to others’ expectations rather than embrace their true selves. They adopt whatever comes from authority, believing that approval from their superiors equals approval from God. Yet no role in life should be regarded as more important than another; humanity was designed to work together like the parts of a body in harmony.
A foot cannot take on the role of an eye. Its purpose is to carry the body, walking long distances and trusting the eyes to guide it away from danger. Likewise, eyes cannot perform a function they were not designed for. In the same way, Jesus refused to be crowned King without God’s approval. Though born to be King, His mission at that time was to die on the cross. The key lesson is following God’s instructions.
Following God’s Instructions
During Jesus’ time, the Roman Emperor ruled, yet Jesus never sought to be treated like him. Instead, He allowed Himself to be exchanged for the criminal Barabbas. Today, some Christians wrongly aim for promotions or to collect tithes and offerings from fellow believers. Jesus pursued righteousness over advantage, echoing Confucius’s words: “The superior man is aware of righteousness; the inferior man is aware of advantage.” In modern society, some hold leadership positions without being natural leaders, while those fit to lead remain in humble roles.
Some leaders may even choose to promote those viewed as less capable, since the more capable may be seen as likely to outshine them and make them feel challenged. Many are driven by greed instead of their true purpose, focusing on personal gain. For example, someone might become a teacher for the paycheck rather than pursuing work that suits their natural talents, later blaming others for not offering opportunities in their real calling. In short, many prefer to be shaped by circumstances instead of creating them.
Being made in God’s image, humans should take responsibility and live out their purpose in life. The worst thing is seeking personal glory instead of lifting up those who may be more capable, as all humans are fallible in this world. When Christ encouraged servant-hood, He promoted humility, valuing spiritual growth over human pride. Duty should come before personal gain, even if it means declining prestigious roles like state president when they do not align with one’s calling. Self-reflection is essential before accepting any job.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, which lays out standards for lifting Zimbabwe out of its current economic depression and into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, offering relief to those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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