Monday, 12 December 2011
Overcoming Insults!
Dr RJ Sing
“For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me”
Jesus spent His life bearing the insults of those who insulted God. The couriers of Hezekiah found the same reaction in the tribes of Israel when the couriers presented the truth about the Passover (2 Chronicles 30:10) To the backslidden Israelites, the archaic idea of a Passover in Jerusalem (as in the old days) was absurd!
The couriers were sincerely trying to turn the Israelites’ hearts back to God, and the results were the same in village after village; ‘The people scorned and ridiculed them’ However, the scripture records that ‘some …humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem’.
If we just want to please ourselves, we will not venture out into the stream of evangelism where our feelings may get hurt. The burden of Evangelism, however, belongs to God, and if we love Him, we will be willing to bear ‘his reproach’ (Hebrews 13:13)
We must see that we are simply messengers, delivering an invitation that others can either accept or reject. If Jesus was reproached, so must we be. Rejoice if men insult you; you are bearing the insults of God!
From the December 2011 issue, themed “God is the True Source of My Increase”.
