Written by Roger D. Campbell
If you have read the four records of Jesus’ earthly life, you know that He did not live a life of ease. When the Word dwelt among men, not only did He face temptations like all humans do, He also had to deal with challenges, trials, and discomfort.
How did the Son of God react when trials came His way? It is worth our time to consider this matter. One trial that Jesus faced was the loss of a loved one. His good friend, Lazarus, perished. It was on that occasion that “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). One thing He did not do, though, was criticize God for allowing it to happen. In no sense did Jesus waver in His
commitment to His Father, despite the loss of a friend. Jesus faced rejection throughout His public ministry. He came to His own people (the Jews), but in general, they did not receive Him (John 1:11). Jesus’ devotion to the Father’s plan never faltered. More than once we read about Jesus being mocked. “And they ridiculed Him” when He spoke about a dead girl whom He would raise (Mark 5:40). He was mocked further as He was hanging on the tree of death (Mark 15:31). We all know that it is not pleasant to endure ridicule. Jesus pressed onward.
Jesus faced the trial of having to deal with His followers’ immaturity and lack of understanding. In one case, Peter rebuked Jesus for what He said about His suffering and death (Matthew 16:21-23). James and John requested permission to command fire to come and consume those who rejected the Lord (Luke 9:51-54). Jesus’ response to His apostles’ slow growth and lack of perception was to keep on teaching them.
Jesus was deserted by many of His disciples after they concluded that His teaching was hard (John 6:60,66). What did Jesus do? He continued His mission to seek the lost and strengthen His servants.
The night before Jesus went to the cross, what did His apostles do? Judas betrayed Him. “Then they all forsook Him and fled” (Mark 14:50). And Peter? He denied Jesus three times. How painful it must have been for Him to see those in whom He had invested so much time and energy show such a lack of faith.
As Jesus was interrogated by Jewish and Roman authorities, He was mocked, smacked, and whipped. His response? “. . . when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). When we face trials, instead of feeling sorry for ourselves or looking for someone to blame, let us imitate our Lord Jesus.