“There was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance, nothing to attract us to Him.” Is. 53:2
Our college boys were on spring break last week, and during one of our dinners with extended family, we got to telling “stories of ole”. One of the storylines centered on how our eldest son and friends used to tease younger brother Conner. Our eldest vividly recalled a story when he and one of his buddies regretfully mocked a ‘then much smaller’ younger brother to the point of running for their lives and locking themselves in a room for hours until Conner’s anger subsided. (Unlike Jesus remaining silent when mocked (Matt. 27:12), our Conner did have a breaking point when it came to the scorning of himself.)
Why was this story humorous? Well, a lot has changed these days. In short, Conner’s physical frame, emotional demeanor and spiritual depth have change drastically from those days of ole’. At 6’7” people (esp. his big brother) simply don’t mess with him much.
Why tell this story? Well, hopefully without sounding disrespectful, this remembrance reminded us of a much bigger story: Jesus’ story.
Despite Hollywood portrayals of a good looking muscular chap, have you ever considered that when Jesus walked on this earth as a flesh and blood man, society at that time likely described His physical appearance as an unattractive whippy scrawny dude vs. some kind of a super human hunk? Check out the scriptures! The text clearly tells us that there was NOTHING about Jesus’ appearance that would have attracted us to Him…nothing. Jesus was mocked and discredited His entire adult life (Scorned in every area of His life, Jesus’ physical, emotional, and spiritual makeup was discredited. Rom. 1:21-22; Lk. 18:32; Matt. 27).
But all of that is about to change. Instead of going away to college and growing up, like our Conner, Jesus ascended to heaven and got Himself one kick-butt glorified body and all the power of the universe to boot. And one day shortly this same Jesus will once again reveal Himself to the world. And what will be her response this time? Shock, as she in horror realizes this Glorious Truth for herself, then recognizes and openly admits that she has been completely WRONG, as each one bends a knee and confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Phil. 2:6-11; Rom. 14:11; Rev. 19-22; Is. 45:22-25)
What does all of this have to do with us? Jesus tells us that if we are His followers, we too will be mocked and persecuted during this life (Matt. 24:9; Mk. 13:13). ~~We will be thought of as idiot-fools.
When this happens (not if), let’s remind ourselves of these truths:
· “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18
· “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” 2Thess. 1:6-10
God bless you this week! xoxoxo ~Shaun and Betsy
