Consider Jesus
Good Morning,
As we travel through life, we find that misunderstandings and wrongdoings are endless. The worst of which is probably when we have done nothing to provoke ill-treatment, and we do not know why the harm has been aimed at us. The treatment may be compounded by the ugly behavior coming from a friend or even from one we love.
I will not begin to try to explain this form of pressure, but I do know the best of people have faced this in one form or another. As Christians, we have the opportunity to seek the Scriptures to find the manner in which to deal with such wrong. We should consider Jesus, for no one was ever mistreated like He was. Remember the prefix “mis” means unjustified or inappropriate; our Lord never deserved any of the shameful treatment that was poured out on Him.
The prophet Isaiah described part of Jesus’ situation:
Isaiah 53:3 “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
vs. 4 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”
Isaiah 50:6 “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting."
We are urged to consider Jesus and to think on His life and suffering; He was terribly misused. Remembering Jesus will help us not to quit when life becomes difficult. We are wise to ponder and to think about those words and the situations in which Christ found Himself: despised, rejected, smitten of God. As we consider Him, we will find strength.
Hebrews 12:3 "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Jesus was unjustly hurt, and people spoke evil of Him. He suffered; and in every case, the abuse was unjustified. Jesus knows our suffering and so much more. When we look to Heaven with tear-filled eyes, He is already familiar with the feelings we have, and He knows the same hurt that we do.
Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
The example refers to when Christ was misused; His reaction was always perfect, and He never responded wrongly.
The book of Hebrews also brings us close to our Lord by explaining that Jesus not only died for our sins, but He also suffered so that He would be able to help us in our suffering.
Hebrews 2:18 “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”
Jesus could have died for our sins by a quick less-painful death, but He chose to be misused, unjustly tried, mocked, slandered, and abandoned by those who should have been His faithful friends. He endured all of this so we would understand that Jesus KNOWS how we feel and that He can help. Jesus is able to “succor” or help those who have been hurt.
While Jesus was teaching, critical people “derided Him,” “laughed Him to scorn,” and He was “set at nought,” or treated as if He knew nothing.
If you want to frustrate your spouse or child, act as if their thoughts and ideas are meaningless to you. This response happens all the time, often by accident, but other times seriously. We cannot control the “ignorance of foolish men,” so we must focus upon our biblical reaction to their behavior. I cannot keep people from being socially crippled to the point that they do not understand how important it is to look at someone and listen. However, I can control my heart and my thoughts when it happens. I can consider Jesus and how He dealt with trouble.
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
vs. 3 “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Pastor