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52
Humble Hero
yet poverty marked His life experience. He did not run after worldly
greatness, and in even the lowliest position He was content. This
angered His brothers. They could not account for His constant peace
under trial and hardship.
Jesus’ brothers misunderstood Him because He was not like
them. In looking to others, they had turned away from God, and
they did not have His power in their lives. The forms of religion they
observed could not transform the character. Jesus’ example was a
continual irritation to them. He hated sin and could not witness a
wrong act without pain that was impossible to disguise. Because the
life of Jesus condemned evil, people opposed Him; they commented
with a sneer on His unselfishness and integrity. His patience and
kindness they called cowardice.
Of the bitterness that falls on the human race, there was no part
that Christ did not taste. Some made unkind remarks about Him
because of His birth. Even in childhood He had to meet scornful
looks and evil whisperings. If He had responded by an impatient
word or look or even one wrong act, He would have failed at being
a perfect example. If so, He would have failed to carry out the plan
for our redemption. If He had even admitted that there could be an
excuse for sin, Satan would have triumphed, and the world would
have been lost. Often He was called a coward for refusing to join
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with His brothers in some forbidden act, but His answer was, It is
written, “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from
evil is understanding.”
Job 28:28
.
Some people felt at peace in His presence, but many avoided
Him, feeling rebuked by His stainless life. Young companions en-
joyed His presence, but they were impatient with His determination
to do right, and they pronounced Him narrow and strict. Jesus an-
swered, It is written, “How can young people keep their way pure?
By guarding it according to your word. ... I treasure your word in
my heart, so that I may not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:9, 11
, NRSV.
Often He was asked, Why are You bent on being so different
from us all? He replied, It is written, “Blessed are those who keep
his testimonies, who ... do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.”
Psalm 119:2, 3
.