Jesus spoke and acted in controversial ways. His parables were designed to shock people out of their complacency. He spent time with wicked people. He pushed against the social expectations of what Messiah would be. His birth and class standing offended the prim. As a result, he constantly chafed against the religious authorities of the day, the keepers of the law.
What do you do with a Messiah who eats with tax collectors and prostitutes? What do you say when he tells stories that welcome prodigal sinners and deride you as the condemning “older brother”? As a religious leader, how do you respond when he flouts your rules or tells a tale of a priest and Levite walking by the victim of a mugging while a despised Samaritan plays the role of the good guy?
The resulting attacks heaped upon Jesus show us the norm. When we walk in Jesus’ steps, the very people who should approve of our words and actions may turn on us instead. They may say and do unkind things. In Jesus’ case, they crucified him and mocked him as he hung dying, smug and complacent that they were on God’s side as they murdered his Son.
When you venture out to serve, using your gifts and seeking to encourage others, you will be attacked, misunderstood, criticized, and shunned. Those who come against you will do so feeling they are on God’s side. Behind them stands the enemy, crafting the assault to hit your most tender spots. Usually these attacks come as you are experiencing the greatest power of God working through you in ministry.
Someone will feel it is their job to criticize every one of your sermons or teaching times. They will email you the following day. People may leave the church because they feel you have nothing to teach them. A vendetta about your choice of an illustrative graphic or church library paint may hound you for years. You may be heckled. Anonymous polling to improve a product for group use might result in a personal attack. Such is ministry.
None of this should surprise us. Jesus experienced the same things. But, attack muddies emotion. As you sift through the criticism, because you are a sinner and must determine if you’ve erred in some way, you may be assailed with doubt, false guilt, and hurt feelings. You may be tempted to give up.
This is why the Christ model is transformative and empowering. Jesus endured all these things, navigating the experience without ever sinning, though he was tempted in all things as we. He felt all the pain, misunderstanding, and social disapproval—even from those who should have been on his side.
We can take all our battered, assaulted emotion and offer it up to him to make sense of it. As we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, evaluating and attempting to respond as we should, we can know that God is at work, willing and acting for a good purpose in our lives (Phil. 2:12-13). The Lord is near, and we need not fear (Philippians 4:5-6).
“But even if you suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3:14-15a).
His eyes are upon those who serve him. His ear is attentive to our cry (1 Peter 3:12; Ps. 34:15). He hears and delivers us. We can rest in him. He is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those who are crushed in spirit. “The righteous person has many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19).
As we apply the Christ-model, not only do we seek to love and submit like him, but we also follow his example when we are attacked and misunderstood. His comfort and his person, once more, are the cure and the model. Our Savior’s compassion, encouragement, tenderness, comfort, and fellowship empower us for whatever task he puts before us (Philippians 2:1-2).
As you serve the Lord, how are you encountering opposition and discouraging attack? How is he healing and comforting you in it?
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Melinda, this article is a sober reminder of the cost of ministry. We’ve all felt it; we will continue to feel it, periodically. Sometimes it’s more than a short-time visitor; sometimes it lingers for months or years. Yet His companionship is worth this price, as He shores us up during the long nights, as He gently soothes our wounded spirits. When we come out the other side, in this life or the next, we will look at the various scars on our hearts and say, “But I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” This makes NO sense to a non-Christian and little sense to a Christian who only obeys when the sun is shining. But all those who have seen the darkness of the cave and stepped inside anyway, to be part of God’s redemption for those who’ve never breathed free air…we know that in some ways, the pain of serving Him is magnificent.
Thank you for those beautiful words, Patricia! You speak truth, and it is medicine for the soul. Christ is worth it! Thank you for sharing today.
This IS so true, so meaningful, and so helpful, Melinda! What a beautiful reply Patricia had, too!
I especially love that Jesus always understands, always hold us close, and always teaches us through all the hurt. These words of yours express it so well: “Jesus endured all these things, navigating the experience without ever sinning, though he was tempted in all things as we. He felt all the pain, misunderstanding, and social disapproval—even from those who should have been on his side.” How thankful I am! His endurance was much greater, too, as He suffered so much more severely! What would we do without Jesus, His understanding, and His comfort! Yes, it will be worth it all!
THANKS ONCE AGAIN, SWEET MELINDA!
Love and prayers,
Aunt Jackie
It has been a blessing to study through 1 Peter, write the material, and then study through it again. I’m digging deeper each time as I learn more about identifying with Christ and leaning hard on his fellowship with me in suffering. What a priceless treasure he is! I’m glad Patricia shared her comments. She is wise woman, and her words often encourage me.
Melinda, this evening, as I read these words from Revelation, I felt that I had not suffered at all:
“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” –Revelation 6:9-11
Then, as we come into the most holy of seasons, I’m reminded of Jesus’ sufferings for me. Once again, I think, “Wow! Have I really suffered for him?”
Thank you, Precious Lord Jesus!!!
In comparison to the suffering of the martyrs and the persecution of believers in “closed” countries, no, we have not suffered much.
These were words that I needed to hear today. Patrica DID do a beautiful job of telling it. We DO come out on the other side saying, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Sometimes, it takes a while for us to get beyond the reeling that happens when we are taken by “surprise” by very sharp criticism. I often wonder when I come to expect it so that it won’t take me by surprise any more. How old do I have to get?
Yes, Jesus is our model, our comfort, and our strength. If only we would turn to Him sooner, we would have perfect peace, “for he keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him.”
Blessings upon you and your writing. Keep up the good work!
I think we are surprised, because we don’t have spiritual eyes yet to see what goes on behind the scenes. That’s why Peter writes, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” It always feels strange to me, too. I think that, because I’m serving Christ, surely all will go well with me, everyone will love me, and all will be happiness and joy. That’s a naive view.
That part happens on the other side, when we have union with the Savior. It’s then that he puts us back together, after we have suffered “a little while.” Then he himself will restore us and make us strong, firm, and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10b). And that’s a relief, because we might get pretty shredded.