NOPE….

It’s easy to see how someone, even Christians, after facing a trial will back away from something that looks like a similar circumstance later. Often after we’ve been slandered by someone, we repel away from anyone or any circumstance that resembles anything similar. Having lies told about you, or being humiliated by fabricated stories are often enough to turn people from the faith. We even preach to some, “turn the other cheek, but after that….do what you want, or avoid the circumstance.” But Jesus took a different approach, and in it we find out why he is THE KING.

Isaiah 50:6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.

Jesus himself knew he was going to go to the cross. Jesus knew he was going to be beaten and bruised and basically beaten to death. While we have record of him asking his Father to take it away if possible, we have his final say on the matter. “Nevertheless, at thy will.”

What was Jesus response to it? He OFFERED his back to those who beat him….he OFFERED his cheeks to those who pulled out his beard.

While our human response is to repel from pain, suffering, humiliation; Jesus offered himself into it.

Too often ‘our’ Jesus is a soft, kind, loving God. God doesn’t want you to suffer, God won’t let you be humiliated, or cast down, or hurt…..that’s what we hear, and want to hear…..but remember the Son.

Offering himself to be all of those things, because in the suffering, in the humiliation, in the want, hurt, betrayal….we please the Father. Because all things work together for our good, does not mean we won’t go through these, but because we welcome it, we please the Father. There will be a day with no more hurt, betrayal, etc. Today is not that day.

God will judge those who oppose us, etc….but for today, he is using our attitude in it to determine our fruitfulness.

Welcome struggles…run to humbling….It’s what Jesus did.