As
Christians, we are often subject to different forms of treatment from others.
There are some people who love us for our love and connection to God. There are
some people who dislike us for our love and connection to God because often
times it is something that people cannot understand. What happens when we are
criticized and ostracized for our love for God? What happens when we are
accepted and rewarded by others for our love for God?
Ostracized and Criticized:
In
today's reading in Mark 15, the Bible talks about Jesus being turned over to
Pilate. In retrospect Jesus was brought before Pilate because people did not
understand the power of God. Prior to my yearning and desire to want to know
and the study the Bible more, I always felt like Jesus was ostracized because
people were haters. Although this may be somewhat true, in my opinion I felt as
though he was brought before Pilate because people did not understand the
greatness of God's power.
In
Mark 15, Jesus was brought before the people on frivolous charges just because
people were too afraid to get to know him. Pilate himself knew that the people
wanted Jesus prosecuted out of envy and spite. He had done nothing wrong: he
healed the sick, he restored peace, he gave people hope, and he released demons
out of people to say the least. Mark 15 reads: "12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I
shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13 And
they cried out again, Crucify him. 14 Then Pilate said unto
them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly,
Crucify him.15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people,
released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to
be crucified" (KJV). Pilate wanted to please the people because he feared what they would
do if he didn't have. In the beginning it was so easy to become so frustrated
with Pilate but he is no different than any of us. How many times have we
refused to stand up for someone when we know there is a wrong being committed?
How many times have we denied truth? I know I'm guilty of the two. However, no
matter how many times Jesus was ostracized and criticized by the people, he
NEVER waivered in his faith.
Accepted & Rewarded:
In
today's reading in 1 Kings 10, the Bible talks about Queen Sheba coming to meet
Solomon. She heard about his wisdom, but she wanted to see and find out the
depth of his wisdom on her own. Once she encountered Solomon's wisdom she was
in awe. Instead of rejecting what she initially did not understand, Queen Sheba
was willing to give Solomon that benefit of the doubt. 1 Kings 10 reads: 9 Blessed be
the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of
Israel! Because the Lord has loved Israel forever, therefore He made
you king, to do justice and righteousness.” (KJV). In return for Solomon's
favor and faithfulness with God, Sheba rewarded him with gold and spices.
Christians
will either be Accepted and Rewarded for their love for Christ or they'll be
Ostracized and Criticized for that same love for Christ. I know I have
encountered both instances. I remember growing up wearing long skirts everyday
to school (even in the winter and I wasn't as cold as people thought LOL!) and
people would always ask me why. During that same period in my life, I always
knew I was different from everyone else and it was more obvious by the fact
that I never wore pants...EVER! In those moments I felt ostracized because I
didn't feel like I fit in. Of course I had tons of friends, but I felt like
they didn't know my struggle of physically standing out because of my skirts.
But on the other hand, teachers and authority loved it! I never
dressed provocative, I always looked nice, and for some reason I stood out
in a positive light to them. As I got older and was able to reflect on God
and his favor in my life I had to realize that although this road with HIM in
it is worth it, it doesn't mean it'll be easy.
My
prayer for all of us is that regardless of whether we are criticized,
ostracized, rewarded, and/or accepted, that we will continue to LOVE God and
stand firm in our faith. Even when the road gets tough and it seems so much
easier to go with the crowd, that we continue to stick out and be the chosen
ones that God has called. I can think of friends who I feel has had what I felt
has been an easier road to Christ than me. Some have been able to have soooo
much fun (going out, partying, drinking, etc.) and have found their way to
Christ. I soon found out that what my friends were doing was in no way any type
of fun. Regardless, it is important not to compare our struggles to one
another. At the end of the day God does not give us more than we can bear. So
if you are ostracized and criticized just know that God chose you for
that particular struggle. Whatever the case may be, don't give up on God
because we has YET to EVER give up on you.
It's Never Too Late To Transform Your Tuesday :)
Transforming Tuesday: Jamera
Amen!!! And the other thing is that Jesus was betrayed by people who loved and followed Him. That's what gets me. His followers, who were with Him from day 1 and saw all the miracles, but yet betrayed Him. And then Jesus kept going with the will of His Father. That's powerful!!
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