Mark chapter 11 verse 18 (NIV)
The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
Matthew chapter 5 verse 44 (NIV)
But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.
This verse in Mark’s gospel, in my opinion, explains the reason that many of the religious leaders treated Jesus the way that they did. His teaching touched a raw nerve and exposed their hypocrisy and they knew it. They recognised that He did have power and authority in spite of what they may have said publicly and they were afraid.
Sometimes we may be treated badly because of what we believe. At the moment, in the west, we are not yet persecuted the way that Christians in other places are. I think that even at a less dangerous level, if we were to analyse the roots of people who criticise genuine Christians, there is indeed an element of fear. Why? Because if they accept the truth of it, it means having to change, and turn their lives around. The religious leaders weren’t willing to do that, even although they felt convicted, so the only way they could cope was to strike out at Christ.
We need to bear that in mind when people hit out at us. In fact, we need to take that as a sign that perhaps they are being impacted by our testimony and pray on for them. It’s not easy to always hold our head up in the face of opposition, but often that’s the very time we make the biggest impact and the time when we reflect more of Jesus.
Dear Lord,
Help me to keep close to You and walk in Your footsteps, even in the face of criticism. Help me to pray for those who criticise Your ways as Jesus instructed us to. I ask in His Name. Amen.