Bullets for the Battle

The Bullet of Persistence: Even Perfection Is Not Enough

I was impressed recently in reading the Gospel of Matthew at how a perfect man, Jesus Christ, was constantly put down by the human race which He had created.

In Chapter 8 they begged Him to get out of their country and leave them alone. He had healed a man and upset their “business as usual” attitude.

In Chapter 9 He made a statement about what God had told Him to do and they laughed at Him.

In Chapter 11 they called Him a gluttonous man and a drunkard and part of the sinner’s crowd.

In Chapter 12 they plotted together how they could raise up against Him and destroy Him.

In Chapter 13 they said, “This is no one special. We know His brothers and sisters. He is the carpenter and Mary’s son and He is no different from us.” Scriptures say that “they took offense at Him.”

In Chapter 15 even the religious leaders are upset at what Jesus said.

That all the above was thrown at the Son of God is unbelievable, yet encouraging. Unbelievable that the perfect Son of God should be so treated. Encouraging that all who seek to follow Christ can expect the same.

As Christians we only have three choices about our response to God and others … give up … be perfect … or keep on keeping on. No one who takes Jesus seriously and who is really concerned about Truth can give up. None of us will become perfect overnight, or in fifty or sixty years for that matter, so the only option is to keep going and strive to appropriate the grace of God as rapidly as possible. There is no other way. Even being perfect won’t help … if our Lord’s example is taken seriously!