THINK ABOUT HIS PATIENCE Tuesday June 16, 2015
Text: Hebrews 12:1 – 3 Memory verse:
v 3
Jesus
Christ was despised and rejected but He endured the cross and its shame in
faithful obedience to the Father. He also experienced sorrow and suffering but
persevered, anticipating the glorious joy awaiting Him (Hebrews 12:3;
Philippians 2:5ff). The author of this epistle made the Hebrews to understand
that as Christians when they are tempted to focus on their trials, even to the
point of considering renouncing their faith, they should be encouraged to think
about all Jesus endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him.
Christ was ridiculed, whipped, beaten, spat upon, and crucified. In all these,
he did not give in to fatigue, discouragement, or despair. He endured because
he has a goal: salvation of mankind. This encouragement is for us too.
As
Christians, many of us sometimes become the innocent victim of calumny, pure in
our heart and life, innocent and peaceful; we may have to endure suspicion of
evil. At such fix, what should we do? In some cases vindication may be
possible, and it may be our duty to seek it in the right way. However, at such
instances when we cannot free ourselves, then we must be silent and bear our
load. We are not likely to err in the direction of too great patience and
silence under wrong. So let us beware lest, when others injure us or defame us,
we sin against God in trying to prove ourselves right.
Food for Thought: Matthew 10:24, 25
Prayer: Lord, teach me to endure hostilities of sinners even as I live my life to conform to your image.
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