Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 111

April 21;    Hebrews 12:3;    111/260(II);    ‘Consider Him’

Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Christianity is the battle for the eternal destiny of people.  We have an enemy, satan, who will do everything he can to cause you to become weary and discouraged.  Why?  So that you quit and no longer endeavor to reach the lost for Jesus.  Our Lord Jesus was continually harassed by of all people, the religious leaders.  The religious leaders hated Jesus because they were jealous of His ever growing popularity with the people.  Remember, until we are Born Again, our character is satan’s.  That character is pride.  Pride got the devil kicked out of heaven, when he rebelled against the Lord, as he tried to overthrow the Lord.  When Jesus came to the earth as a Man, the devil, demons and demonically inspired people did everything they could do to hinder His ministry.  Our Lord had a mission to accomplish and He refused to be side tracked by anything that tried to stop Him.  He told us that no one could take His life, He freely laid it down for us.  He told us that He, at any time, could have called legions of angels to rescue Him from the incredible sufferings He endured.  He never did anything, but keep His eye on the goal of our redemption.  When Jesus was hung on the cross, the devil thought that he had won.  Since satan is not omniscient, he had no idea that the cross was the plan of God the Father to save humanity.  Now that Jesus’ work is complete, we have the privilege to share the gospel with others.  There is still a fight to be fought and persecution to experience.  But like the apostles, who counted it joy to suffer for the Name of Jesus, we too will stand firm.  He did not quit, neither will we.