Love for the Hypocrites
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).
What is the message of the above text? How seriously do we take it? That is, do we understand that Christ's death included the worst sinners, even the hypocrites we read about yesterday?
The amazing thing about the life of Jesus was that even amid the harshest circumstances He never lost sight of His mission: to save the lost. Even as He hung on the cross, even as the weight of the world's sin was crushing out His life, the good of others was constantly on His mind. (See Luke 23:34, 42, 43; John 19:26). What a powerful lesson for us, we who are called to follow in His footsteps.
This applies to the religious leaders that Jesus railed against. Yesterday we read His scathing denunciations against them, as recorded in Matthew 23.
Read Matthew 23:37. How is it different in tone from the rest of the chapter? What does this tell us about Jesus and His feelings toward even those He just denounced? What very important principle is found here for us? How can we take what we see here and apply it in our own lives and our treatment of others, even those who reject our overtures toward them?
Missionary work is not easy. Look at what happened when Jesus Himself was here. Look at how so many reacted. Yet, even toward the worst Jesus showed love and care and compassion. Our feelings toward those who reject us should not be anger or resentment; it should be one of pity, of concern, and of care. When people refuse to listen, they are not rejecting us, personally; they are rejecting Jesus. How do you respond to those who react negatively toward your witness? How can you learn to feel compassion, as opposed to anger and resentment? Why would anger and resentment only make thing worse?
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