Your Daily Devotional for December 9, 2006

 

December 9, 2006

 

 

The Contradiction of Sinners

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

 

Hebrews 12:3

 

 

Have you ever thought of how Jesus felt as He came to earth? The entire Jewish nation was looking to His arrival with great anticipation and excitement. When He didn’t arrive just as they thought He would, they rejected Him and looked for another “saviour.” Here He had come to save them from their sins and they denied His deity.

 

Not only did the people reject Him, but the religious leaders rejected Him as well. The religious leaders were the respected authority in Jewish culture. With the hated Roman rule over them, the Jewish people looked to the religious leaders to lead them as a nation. These leaders failed to point the people to Christ as the Messiah.

 

The Jews also went so far as to ridicule Him. They made fun of who He claimed to be! They had been waiting their entire life for Christ, yet they mocked His earthly ministry. We are shocked and appalled at such behavior but think about it in today’s terms. Would Christ be accepted in today’s culture? More importantly, would you accept Him? Would you be ashamed to be associated with Him?

 

I once heard the story of a poor woman in great distress because she could not pay her rent. She was expecting the officer to seize her goods. Her pastor heard of her trouble and went to her house with the money for her rent. He knocked but could not get an answer. He went to different doors and windows, but he received no response.

 

At last he was compelled to go away, carrying the money back with him. The good woman thought it was the officer seeking entrance to carry away her goods, and she had tightly barred every door and window and gave no heed to the knocking. Many people imagine that Christ comes as an enemy to put a yoke upon their necks and add to their burdens, and they shut Him out just as the Jews did. If they knew what blessings He brings in His hands they would open the door gladly.

 

Christ wants to give us many blessings, but we must first open our lives to Him and to His will. Many Christians do not wish to do the will of God for fear it will cost them their joy and happiness. But God offers true peace, joy, and blessings! Yet, sometimes Christians reject Christ’s will for their lives.

 

Friend, don’t be afraid of submitting to God’s will for your life. There is no other source for tremendous blessings than being in His will! When we do His will, He will bless us beyond what we could imagine. Why wouldn’t you want God’s hand of blessing on your life?! Ask God to help you fulfill His will for your life today.

 

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