Expect Ridicule When You Follow Jesus
"And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’" - Matthew 9:11
When Jesus called Matthew, in Matthew 11, it did not sit well with the religious crowd. The Pharisees could not understand why someone claiming to be from God would choose to associate with the likes of a tax collector. From their view, Jesus was crossing a line. From heaven’s view, He was fulfilling His purpose. That same tension still exists today.
If you choose to walk with Jesus, there will be people who misunderstand you. Some will question your decisions. Others will criticize your standards or mock your faith. Even when you are doing exactly what God has asked you to do, someone will find fault with it. That is not a sign you are off track. It is often the clearest sign that you are on the right one.
Galatians 1:10 cuts through all the noise. You cannot live to please both God and people. Eventually, the two paths will pull in opposite directions. And when they do, you have a choice. You can stay quiet to avoid conflict, or you can keep following Jesus even when it costs you something.
The good news is that ridicule does not have the final word. God’s approval matters more than any insult or opinion you will face. And His approval is not based on your popularity, but on your faithfulness. When the world looks sideways at you, God is the one who sees you clearly. When others walk away, He stays. When they question your obedience, He affirms it.
You are not alone in the ridicule. Jesus faced it too. And if you follow Him long enough, you will experience it. But do not let it stop you. Let it remind you that you are His.
When Jesus called Matthew, in Matthew 11, it did not sit well with the religious crowd. The Pharisees could not understand why someone claiming to be from God would choose to associate with the likes of a tax collector. From their view, Jesus was crossing a line. From heaven’s view, He was fulfilling His purpose. That same tension still exists today.
If you choose to walk with Jesus, there will be people who misunderstand you. Some will question your decisions. Others will criticize your standards or mock your faith. Even when you are doing exactly what God has asked you to do, someone will find fault with it. That is not a sign you are off track. It is often the clearest sign that you are on the right one.
Galatians 1:10 cuts through all the noise. You cannot live to please both God and people. Eventually, the two paths will pull in opposite directions. And when they do, you have a choice. You can stay quiet to avoid conflict, or you can keep following Jesus even when it costs you something.
The good news is that ridicule does not have the final word. God’s approval matters more than any insult or opinion you will face. And His approval is not based on your popularity, but on your faithfulness. When the world looks sideways at you, God is the one who sees you clearly. When others walk away, He stays. When they question your obedience, He affirms it.
You are not alone in the ridicule. Jesus faced it too. And if you follow Him long enough, you will experience it. But do not let it stop you. Let it remind you that you are His.
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