Daily devotion – Thursday 3rd June 2021
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrow and acquainted with grief – Isaiah 53:3
“Stick and stones make break my bones, but names will never hurt me…..” So goes the old saying. But names and words hurt unbelievably don’t they. When people criticise, the wounds are worse than those of the flesh. Their sting lasts and lasts.
How do we deal with these when people seek to bring hurt to us?
Throughout His early life, Jesus was constantly exposed to personal criticism and rejection. At the beginning of His ministry, His own townsfolk at Nazareth tried to cast Him down from the brow of a hill – Luke 4:29.
The religious and political leaders constantly argued with Him and conspired to kill Him. At length He was arrested and brought to trial before Pilate and Herod. Even though He was innocent of all accusations, He was denounced as an enemy of God and man, and not worthy to live.
How did Jesus respond to criticism and rejection? First, with steadfastness. He did not tone down His message, nor did He stop doing what He knew was right. Second, Him with strength – ahead of Him was the Cross – but Jesus did not lose courage or shrink from what He knew was His Father’s will. Third, with submission – when Herod prodded Him to defend Himself, “He answered him nothing!” – Luke 23:9.
Only one thing mattered: Fulfilling God’s purpose for His life. How will we meet criticism?
Bring the pain of the criticism to Christ, leave it with Him and pray for those who despitefully use you.