It Had to Hurt

            No one said the Christian life would be easy.  The cross can divide families and friends. Contrary to what some may think, even Jesus was not the most popular kid on the block.

            I can remember speaking to a news director about a talented television personality who was let go.  I asked him why his contract was not renewed. I thought everyone loved him.  He told me the anchor was wildly popular with about half the audience but equally disliked by the other half, so they had to cut him. If he had just crossed the line and had more fans than not, he would have remained on the air. It didn’t seem fair that such a talented guy would lose his job.

            Jesus was also a talented guy and understood what it was like to minister to a divided crowd. Eventually, he didn’t just lose his job on earth.  He also lost his life.

             After he shared the controversial words, I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you (John 6:53), many of his disciples deserted him because the teaching was too difficult. Perhaps hurt, he turned to his core twelve and asked, You do not want to leave too, do you?

            Jesus knew what it was like to live the truth, speak the truth and be sold out for God but to still be rejected.

            It had to hurt.

            In John 7, Jesus attended the Feast of the Jews.  On the last day there he taught, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him (John 7:37-38).

            There was murmuring throughout the crowd. Some called Jesus a prophet.  Others said, He is the Christ. Yet others said, How can the Christ come from Galilee? Scripture says, Thus the people were divided because of Jesus..

             Was it difficult for Jesus to know he was living and speaking the truth but was still the object of ridicule and debate? Sure, but he knew the cross divides. Even in the believing community.

            So when we attempt to live a righteous life with the Gospel flowing from our mouths and through our actions, we have to understand people will turn away from us for one reason or another and it will hurt. But remember, Jesus understands. 

            I once gave a picture to a friend that said “Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes.” It is not always easy to share our faith. Our human nature desires to be loved. We want to be invited to all the parties, so we dilute our witness.

             But we must take a stand for why we believe, despite the divided crowd before us. Why? Because Jesus did.  He is our guide.  And one day, our Father in Heaven will reward us for our faithfulness to Him.