LOOKING UNTO JESUS (PART 4)
"... I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." - 2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV)
What a bold declaration of faith in the Lord! Here, Apostle Paul was declaring a disregard to the shame or ignominy that accompanied his life and calling as a Christian worker. You need to understand what this man went through as a Christian and a preacher of the Gospel. He was so misunderstood that he was considered "a pestilent fellow" (Acts 24:5). In regard to his ordeals with the men of his generation, hear him:
"... the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me." His response: "But none of these things move me, … so that I might finish my course with joy, ..." (Acts 20:23,24). Wonderful!
Truth is, Apostle Paul faced shame; there was no denial of the fact that he saw shame. Yet, he was very resolute: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:" (Romans 1:16). But how could he not be ashamed in the face of those copious disgraceful treatments meted to him? The answer is, like Jesus he endured; he disesteemed shame and in place thereof, he esteemed the joy that was set before him. His focus again like Jesus, was to finish his course without let or hindrance (Jn 17:4; Acts 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:7).
In the matter of despising shame, Apostle Paul followed the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says "Looking unto Jesus ... who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, ... " (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus disesteemed the shame that accompanied His crucifixion. He chose to focus on the joy that was set before Him. We spoke about this in part 3 to this series. Rather than allowing Himself to be engrossed and hindered by the shame of the Cross, Jesus chose to look ahead to the resurrection, knowing that the Cross and the grave weren't going to be the end (Ps 16:10; Acts 2:27). The Lord knew that He would triumph over Satan and liberate the entire human race from his bondage. He chose to esteem that, and to disdain the shame, rejection, and physical suffering. He chose to despise the fact that He would be stripped naked, mocked, and insulted. He chose to minimize those things and to maximize the glory and the honor of the Cross. Brethren, let's do the same. The Bible says:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" (Phil 2:5).
In despising shame, Apostle Paul emulated Him and has called us to follow suit:
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." (1 Cor 11:1)
Know that at some point in time of life, we are all called to make certain choices, some of which are with eternal consequences. Know for sure also that as a Christian, to endure and to disdain the sufferings and the shame of this present age is nothing compared to the eternal value of esteeming Christ.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)
Again, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" (2 Cor 4:17).
Jesus had so much joy to set before Him, and that allowed Him to endure the Cross. If at this moment you aren't enduring, it's probably because you don't have any joy set before you to focus on. Take a look at the Scriptures and you'll be thrilled at the excess of consolation that awaits the Child of God.
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I have chosen to magnify You above my present suffering and shame, looking forward to the joy of doing so, in Jesus name.