Bearing His reproach

Above all else, the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us that there are greater treasures in suffering reproach with Christ, than in all that the world has to offer. ‘By faith Moses … choosing rather to suffer affliction … esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt … looked to the reward.’ Heb 11:24-26. This is also what the writer of the book of Hebrews was urging when he said, ‘Let us go out to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach’. Heb 13:13. At the very heart of the Christian faith is the call to ‘go out’ and join Christ in bearing His reproach. This is how we obtain testimony that God has given us eternal life. 1 John 5:10,11.

The richest treasure of all is found in precious fellowship with Christ. This is where the purging effect of His sufferings delivers the soul of man from the corrupting leaven of self-interest, and from the power of death itself. This is what Paul meant when he said, ‘That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death’. Phil 3:10.

It is fundamental to our sharing in Christ’s sufferings, that when the ‘zeal’ of His house consumes us, then indeed the reproaches of those who reproach Him will fall on us. Psa 69:9. Like Moses who embraced the reproach of Egypt, and like Paul who took ‘pleasure … in reproaches ... for Christ’s sake’, we too must make a choice to be ‘reproached for the name of Christ’ whereupon we are blessed, and ‘He is glorified’. 1 Peter 4:14.

This is truly amazing, and gladdens the heart of every Christian. We learn how to be joyful when we are reproached, and set our hearts upon the greatest treasure of all. So then, as we keep the feast of His Passover, we guard against any ‘leaven’ that can cause the bread to be puffed up. We are to carefully purge out leaven, and not be discouraged when the leaven of reactive responses is found in our hearts. Rather, we need to relax in humility and find rest in the process of purging. We should allow the ‘Spirit of glory and of God’ to rest upon us. 1 Peter 4:14. Then we will not be surprised, disappointed or anxious about our faults. We will find rest in Christ, and rejoice as we obtain testimony, and as our true testimony is raised up by Christ.

It’s important to find this kind of joy, relief and even good humour, and to allow God to raise our testimony, not lift up our own testimony. Remember what Jesus said, ‘If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true’. John 5:31.

If Moses, in his time, esteemed the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than the entire treasure of Egypt, would we not do likewise? Heb 11:26.

Victor Hall

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Feature Articles
August 2008

Keeping your heart

Bearing His reproach

The staff of bread

The harmony of life

Honouring fatherhood

Elders and Deacons

Showing Virtue in tragedy

Becoming a seeker

The Goodness of God

The devotion of your youth

Increase by labour