Overcoming Opposition – You Can Do It!

What do you do when you hit a wall? How do you respond when those you love reject your faith? What can you possibly do next?

Jesus faced these issues in his ministry. Here is one example.

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

Luke 13:31-35 (ESV)

From the Scripture

The Pharisees, who were a constant source of opposition, issued a threat thinly veiled as a warning. However Jesus gave a very defiant response. He called Herod a fox – an animal that is cunning but weak – he would not be deterred from finishing his mission. In so doing, he also defied the opponents that were in his presence.

He explained the timing as today and tomorrow and the day following. This is a literary/prophetic device meaning soon.

Jesus also explained his reasoning. He had to work his way to Jerusalem so he could die there!

At the mention of Jerusalem, his compassion welled up and overflowed! He rehearsed  their past failures – Stoning prophets and killing God’s messengers.

He asserted his desire to gather the children (the people), hold them close, like a mother, and to protect them, like a father.

He lamented their unwillingness. His desire would not overrule their choice. Their rejection would be their ruin. Their rejection carried with it the tone of the imminent and the far away! His words: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” is realized first in the Triumphal entry but will be finally and completely realized in the Second coming!

Select Lesson from Jesus

There are several lessons here but we’ll focus on the what Jesus taught us about facing opposition. Three powerful lessons:

Continue the mission God has given until the goal is reached. We have four simple goals:

Make disciples. The commission Jesus gave and gives his disciples. We are to help others follow Jesus.

Grow spiritually into the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. He is our teachers. As his students and followers we have a responsibility to become just like him – and he helps us in this task.

Love God. Jesus called this the greatest commandment. And so it is! We must love God and express and live out that love every single day!

Love our neighbors. This mission is essential work in the kingdom of God. We cannot neglect this vital work.

Don’t be stopped by earthly opposition. There is a lot of opposition to the work of the kingdom. The devil doesn’t want you to succeed but Jesus is far more powerful than the devil, so keep doing the work you are called to do!

Continue to love and cry out for those who reject the message. Praying for those around us changes everything. It changes our hearts and changes those we pray for. Sometimes we must pray for someone for years or decades before we see a change. Sadly, some never accept the life Jesus offers but we must never give up!

So, keep at it. Persevere in your work of following Jesus. The reward is marvelous, here on earth and then in heaven.