Can You Bear His Reproach?

 August 23

"Therefore Jesus also, that he might
sanctify the people with his own blood,
suffered outside the gate.
Therefore let us go forth to him,
outside the camp, bearing his reproach."
Hebrews 13:12-13

"Bearing his reproach..."

What IS his reproach?

Consider Jesus Christ, of whom it is written that he created all that is, the very Lord of Glory, the King of all Kings, and Lord of all Lords. Before him every knee will bow:

" ...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..."
Philippians 2:10-11

Glorious is he in majesty and righteousness. Every knee, of every one, everywhere, will bow before the Lord Jesus Christ.

This exalted One came to bring many into the way of righteousness.

But they despised him.

They stripped him and flogged him, they drove a crown of thorns down into his head, and nailed him to a cross.

The Lord of glory.

Now WE are called to bear his reproach. He has committed to us the directive to bring the Gospel to whoever will receive it, knowing that in doing so we will be criticized, laughed at, made fun of, and rejected. The Gospel will not make us popular - it will make us despised.

Are you willing to bear his reproach? To speak of him knowing in advance that that will make you an object of ridicule?

You have the Gospel that can make the difference between heaven or hell for someone. But to get to that one soul, you have to bear with the many who will reject it. The ones who receive it will thank you for all eternity -that you brought the message of Jesus Christ to him/her, which led them into eternal life.

Are you willing to endure the cost?