One of the worst things you can say about anyone is this: Greatness passed by, and they did not recognize it.

Ever been somewhere, in a classroom, a meeting, a concert, a church, a family gathering, when some life-changing, reality-shifting, soul-lifting insight has been revealed? Even if most of those listening with you realized they were hearing something amazing, there is always some dimwitted dipstick who has no idea they are in the presence of greatness.

Things weren’t any different in the first century. As Jesus appeared before a crowd of “thousands” (Luke 12:1), he spoke first to his disciples — with the multitude eagerly eavesdropping. After hearing Jesus encouraging his closest followers to stand firm in their faith even in the face of persecution, to trust their lives to the s…