Opposition?
Luke 13:31-35
We’ve all experienced opposition at some point in life... The fact is... if you’ve ever had a 2-year old, or a teenager, you know something about opposition. And for that matter, if you’ve ever been a 2-year old, or a teenager, you know something about it! Opposition, resistance is a part of life.
Of course, sometimes, even when you’re doing the right thing, or standing up for the right thing, others will oppose you. There are people looking for and waiting for opportunities to pounce! And opposition, in spite of our efforts to do good, can be discouraging, to say the least. When others resist us, and oppose our good intentions, it makes you want to quit trying... to just step back and be done with it.
The fact is, Jesus knew something of opposition and resistance, as we just read in our lesson. But He didn’t let that opposition stop Him, or hinder His mission in any way, shape, form or fashion. He remained steadfast and determined. His love for His people was (and is) unwavering, even in the face of outright rejection.
Of course, Jesus had something to say about this very issue in the Sermon on the Mount (as we call it) in Matthew 5 (10-12)... “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
In our Lesson for today we’re told a group of Pharisees approached Jesus with a warning... apparently King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. Whether their warning was true, and genuine... or just a scare tactic, Jesus was not dissuaded. Jesus responded to the Pharisees, calling Herod a “fox” - and declaring that He would continue His work until His mission was complete. Jesus stood firm in the face of opposition... and he calls us to do the same.
One of the most influential and well-known pastors and theologians of our time, Dr. John MacArthur, says, “The more like Christ you are, the more the world will treat you like they treated Christ. Maybe you don’t get much persecution (opposition) because there’s not much similarity.” Something to think about, for sure.
Jesus is showing us that obedience to God is more important than the fear of man. It’s a point that echoed in Acts 5:29, when the Apostles were told NOT to preach the Gospel, they replied, “We must obey God rather than men.” They knew that refusing to comply with the religious and legal authorities could mean prison, or worse. But they also knew that living their calling to proclaim Christ while sharing the Gospel of Christ was more important.
Jesus knew the cross was before Him... he was fully aware of what the Pharisees were gonna do to him... but he also knew that his mission was more important than their warnings and threats. Jesus continued healing, teaching, and preaching - and he calls us to do the same.
When we face opposition when doing the right thing... when serving Christ and working to build up the Kingdom of God, we’re called to trust that God’s purposes for us cannot be stopped by human threats.
It makes you wonder: are we faithfully standing firm in our faith despite the pressures around us, to conform... and accept worldly ideals and values? Are we influenced by fear, rather than faith? Allowing fear of rejection, fear of hostility, fear of the mob, to dictate our actions... or do we truly trust in God’s plan for our lives?
The resistance (and rejection) experienced by Jesus grieved Jesus. Jesus grieved over those who sought worldly, rather than Godly values. He lamented over Jerusalem, saying, “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
What an indictment! The Savior of the world, longing to show compassion and mercy to a lost and sinful world... faced condemnation and rejection.
Of course, the world continues to reject the loving embrace of the Savior... refusing the right, and celebrating the wrong. Yet, all the while, Jesus keeps reaching, he keeps empowering each of us to share the Good News regardless the consequences or results. The heart of Jesus longs to protect and save His people, despite their rejection.
Do we, as the present day Body of Christ... do we have a passion to share the love of Christ with a world that desperately needs it? Are we praying for those who’ve rejected the Good News, or have we rejected them?
Jesus proclaimed that Jerusalem will not see Him again until they could declare, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Jesus would soon be rejected and crucified, BUT, His mission would not end in shame or defeat. He would rise again, and one day He will return in glory.
This reminds us that rejection is not the end of the story. And what the world can do to us is not the end of the story. Though the world may reject Christ (and us) for the moment... but the day is coming, when every knee will bow before Him, and every tongue profess, that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2:10-11).
Our job is to remain faithful, sharing the Gospel and trusting in His ultimate victory over not only death and the grave... but over the forces of darkness, and opposition, that seek to tear down his people.
We need look no further than God’s Word for encouragement to stay the course: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Jesus remained steadfast in His mission despite opposition. He showed deep love for the lost, even those who rejected Him. And He pointed to the final victory of God’s kingdom.
• Will we stand firm in faith, even when faced with opposition?
• Will we share Christ’s love with those who reject Him and us?
• Will we live with confidence in His ultimate victory?
May you and I, as God’s People, trust in Jesus, follow His example, and carry His message to a world that desperately needs Him. Amen.
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