What Did I Do?

"Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal." - Psalm 69:4

The psalmist David, wrote these words of himself. Yet, in reading them, we find the words of our Lord and Savior, found in John 15:25, "They hated me without cause."  In the scriptures the life of Jesus Christ is detailed as loving, helpful and merciful. His ministry lasted no more than 3 years.  What we know of Him is that He taught those around him of God's love and peace.  The world was in need of a Savior, and had been waiting patiently for the arrival of the Messiah.  So, needing Him and wanting Him, what were they afraid of when He arrived?

Have you ever considered why Christ was so hated by the people of Israel?  He entered Jerusalem a week before His death.  He rode a donkey into the city amidst cheers and praises of glory and hallelujah.  Within a week the masses were screaming "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"  In that week, Christ had healed the sick, forgiven the sinful, restored life and challenged the authority of Jerusalem.  It was this authority that knew the scriptures, the signs and what to expect.  It was this same authority that felt threatened by Christ's message of salvation.  As David writes in Psalm 69:4 – “Christ is forced to restore what he did not steal.”  The salvation of mankind was upon his shoulders and his shoulders alone.

In the last 2000 years what has changed?  There are more people today that deny Christ than at any other point in our history, and for what reason?  For His love of mankind or His merciful grace.  He's done nothing against mankind that would cause hatred.  Perhaps, it is similar to the authorities of that day.  Christ does not meet the image that some people are looking for in a Savior.  Or perhaps they feel convicted by His message, so they choose to deny him or hate him.  The love of Jesus Christ is there for them though, just as it was for the masses and authorities in Jerusalem on that day.  Remember the most powerful disciple of Jesus Christ was Paul (also known as Saul of Tarsus).  He hated Jesus Christ and His followers to the point of killing them.  Yet Christ's love and grace, once revealed to him, turned him into the most profound apostle of all time.

We live this life with the opportunity to rest in His grace, peace and love each and every day.  There are those that despite this opportunity; chose not to.  But make no mistake; there will come a day when all mankind will recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savior.  In Philippians 2:10 Paul tells us, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”  I fear for those who have; through pride, arrogance and self righteousness; denied Him.  Life will be reconciled once and for all.

Heavenly Father,
I pray for mankind today.  I pray for the hearts of the lost to soften, for their eyes to be opened such that they can see Your love.  I pray that Your grace and mercy are made known to all mankind and Your truth is uncovered before them.  Pour out Your blessings upon this generation that they can become the change agents needed for expanding Your Kingdom.  In Your name I pray – Amen
© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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