Photo by Edward Lim, Creative Commons
All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff.
Luke 4:28-29
How Jesus Loved People:
Jesus was rejected. He was rejected in a way you or I will probably never have to experience. He had just read from the scroll of Isaiah, implying very strongly He was the One Isaiah was referring to. He had just told the Jews God miraculously provided for a Gentile widow, rather than a Jew, through Elijah. (see 1 Kings 17:8-16) And He had just told the Jews God miraculously healed a Gentile of leprosy, rather than a Jew, through Elisha. (see 2 Kings 5:1-14)
These things He said infuriated them. And the enraged mob left the synagogue en masse. They took Him to the edge of a cliff to throw Him off. (Luke 4:16-30)
I’ve never been rejected in that way. Have you? So how does Jesus respond to what can only be described as murderous hatred?
He does good. In John 4:46-54 we see Jesus, still in Galilee, not long after He had suffered at the hands of the Galileans, doing good. An official’s son lay sick, and Jesus healed him.
How to Love Like Jesus:
I lost all my followers, yesterday. What I experienced is not even remotely close to the rejection and suffering Jesus experienced, because I’m only talking about Twitter followers. I’m trying to figure out a way to reach the lost, on Twitter, and I made some sort of mistake in the process, so my account was suspended for it. And now I’m suffering (sort of).
Did you know the Bible tells you what God’s will is for you when you’re suffering? 1 Peter 2:15 tells us we’re to do good when we’re suffering.
To this you were called by God because Jesus, the One who saved you, set an example for you. (see 1 Peter 2:21-24) He did good and gained followers. He did more good and some followers rejected Him. He did more good and nearly all His followers rejected Him. He did even more good and they reviled Him. He did yet more good and they crucified Him.
So you might say, why would I do good? Jesus suffered at the hands of the Galileans and the religious leadership of His day and responded by doing good, and where did that get Him? He lost nearly all His followers, He was reviled, and He was crucified.
That’s true, but what happened in the end? What good was done — ultimately? The relatively few disciples who remained, turned the world upside down for Christ! The consistent good Jesus did while suffering at the hands of others resulted in an astounding bountiful crop for God’s kingdom. According to the Daily Mail, a British online newspaper, Jesus Christ has 2.2 billion followers today.
So how do you love like Jesus? Do good in response to suffering — even when you don’t feel like it, or perhaps, especially when you don’t feel like it.
And yes, you might do good and lose followers for it. You might be reviled for it. You might even be crucified for it. But it doesn’t matter, do good anyway.
Because it’s God’s will for you when you suffer.
Because you were called by God to respond this way.
Because ultimately it will bear abundant fruit.
Jesus loved people by consistently doing good in the face of rejection and suffering.
You can too.
References:
Bob Thornley teaching: 9/5/12
Dear Kurt,
Thank you for caring to send me this timely post ,which spoke directly to my heart.May God bless you richly in every way,as you continue spreading His Love:)
Kurt, I liked the fact that you said, “So I’m suffering (sort of).” I know you believe that “…all things work together for good for those who love Elohim, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) His purpose is key!
When one door closes, another opens. I’ve had many disappointments in my walk with my Messiah these 33 years, but I believe in His appointments. I trust His G.P.S. which is His Gracious Patrol Safety-net to direct me daily where I need to go with my steps, my words, and my deeds.
Ministry is an interesting “deed” as there is a time and a purpose for all things, and it most assuredly applies to ministry. I’ve seen the Father bless and grace my first “ministry” with amazing grace and amazing miracles as I was the Founder and CEO of a Christian non-profit corporation, and after the fourth year, He informed me that the time for that ministry was over. I obeyed and shut it down. I believe it was for “protection”. It did not matter what people thought–I obeyed Him. I didn’t blame the Adversary because I will not give him any credit. We walk by faith, by the Spirit of Elohim.
Another ministry was at hand, and the Father closed the door after “seven” years. It was difficult, painful, and downright sorrowful at times, yet I gave Him the glory due His Name, even though He plucked me out of the ministry and moved me far away to be alone with Him, without interference, family, or friends. In this blessed hindsight I revel in His awesome Wisdom, though sometimes hidden from us for protection, or a greater purpose and calling. He knows how to take us higher and deeper in love with Him.
Yes, it is exciting to walk hand in hand with the Man who satisfyingly stills the stormy seas!
You have an interesting history Irene. It’s funny how you wrote of purpose because at Bible study tonight pastor Jon spoke of the “handfuls of purpose” from Ruth 2:16.
I love it when God does things like that.
Thank you for another excellent comment and may the Lord continue to bless you and Mike.
“Doing good” is a great response to ANY form of offence, abuse, suffering, criticism etc. Kindness melts anger.
I like to keep the ‘Count – Know – Let – Ask’ of James 1:2-5 in mind in any form of trial or opposition:
We can COUNT it all joy when beset by trials, because we KNOW the purposes of God. We can LET God’s maturing process work in us while we ASK for wisdom, that we won’t waste the opportunity, but will use it to grow and mature.
We serve an amazing God!
I like that Angela, Count — Know — Let — Ask. I’m going to try that. I need all the help I can get.
Thanks for stopping by and for all you do on your blog, http://meetingintheclouds.wordpress.com/ .
Thank you so much for sharing this, Kurt! You are absolutely right. We ARE to do good even after being rejected. I shared this on my Facebook and reblogged it too! Thank you!
Angela
Thanks for stopping by Angela, and thanks for the reblog!
Reblogged this on LoyalDidymus.