Bible Reading: Ezekiel 13-15; Hebrews 11:20-40
“Esteeming the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” Hebrews 11:26 (KJV).
Talking about the heroes of faith the above focal scripture is one of the attribute associated to Moses who was a prototype of Christ and the testator of the old testament. The bible explicitly recorded that Moses counted the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Remember that this Moses was a prince in the palace and a highly recognized general in the Egyptian army. He had all that he needed at his beck and call yet he chooses to suffer in the camp of the Almighty God than enjoy the pleasure and riches of Egypt. He made a choice to stay with God despite the affliction and persecution associated with it. One will like to ask what are the reproaches of Christ?
Among the reproaches of Christ are the persecution that Christians go through for their believe and faith in Christ. In Hebrews 11:36-38(KJV), “and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” The writer of Hebrews stated in vivid terms most of the things that Christians suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ under the Roman empire and even now. Christians were used as entertainment, as they were given to hungry Lions. Above are well articulated persecution of God’s people that is referred to as the Reproaches of Christ.
Generally speaking, the reproaches of Christ are the numerous persecution, imprisonment, denials and affliction Christian go through for their believe in the Saviour and Bishop of their soul. How many Christians have been denied promotion in their offices because they refused to bow to ungodly demands in preference for the love of Christ? How many have been deformed, killed and dismembered because of their believe? Apostle Paul having experienced some of these afflictions and persecution stated in Philippians 3:10 (KJV), “That I may know him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His suffering, being made conformable unto His death.” Among the reproaches is to partake of His suffering and where inevitable be made to conform to His death. If our Master and Saviour suffered persecution and crucifixion, we must be ready to also bear same when it arises.
Suffering and dying for Christ are all the reproaches of Christ. John the Apostle who was banished to the Island of Patmos for his love of Christ wrote in Revelation 12:11(KJV), “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” We must be ready to bear the reproaches of Christ and be immune to it and be ready to die the death where it is inevitable in order to hold on to our faith. We must be ready to obey even unto death. Our obedience to God will be tested by the reproaches of Christ we suffer. Our obedience must be to the end. The three Hebrews men obeyed to the end, the Apostles counted themselves worthy with joy to have suffered for Christ, Apostle John was thrown into a pot of boiling oil, Apostle Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in crucifixion like Christ. So many saints were burnt on stakes for Christ during the great persecution of Rome.
Apostle Paul was driving home our immunity to the various reproaches of Christ when he wrote his epilogue in Romans 8:35-37(KJV) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” We must always have it in mind that our Love for Christ is a matter of life and death. We must be ready to carry and bear our cross. See Romans 8:38-39.
Prayer: Father, grant me the grace to stand firm and immoveable in the face of persecution and afflictions in my love for you.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo