Devotions/Partners

Isaiah 53:3 (KVJ): “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised and we esteemed him not.”

COMMENTARY: Everywhere Jesus went, He was criticized and rejected for doing good. Here’s a good exercise: study the four Gospels and make a chart with five columns: BIBLE PASSAGE, JESUS’ ACT, NATURE OF CRITICISM, BY WHOM, and JESUS’ RESPONSE. Then, go through each Gospel, filling in the chart when you come to passages where Jesus is criticized. This will be a real eye-opener!

For example, in Matthew, Jesus heals a paralyzed man and is accused of blasphemy. He ministers to sinners and is criticized for hanging around the wrong crowd. He heals a man possessed of a demon and is accused of being Satanic. He feeds the hungry and is criticized for working on the Sabbath. He teaches Truth, and his credentials and authority are criticized. He cleans the temple and is criticized for his audacity. A variety of people criticize Him including his own family, friends, disciples, townspeople, Pharisees, Sadduces, chief priests and scribes. A final tidal wave of criticism and rejection leads to His crucifixion.

Notice how Jesus responds to each instance of criticism and rejection. Time after time, He keeps going, keeps healing, keeps preaching, keeps teaching. No criticism or rejection of men stops Him from fulfilling His calling. The critics can’t even intimidate and silence him with death because He had victory over that, too.

APPLICATION: If you’re facing criticism and rejection on the job today because of your good, Godly works, be of good cheer. Jesus went through it Himself. Don’t stop. Don’t flinch. Don’t give up. Keep on faithfully serving the Lord.

Joyfully yours,

Drew

For Further Exploration

For further exploration about Isaiah 53:3 (KVJ)，read Servant at Work (Isaiah 40ff.) from the Theology of Work Bible Commentary.