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50
From Heaven With Love
was His possession, yet poverty marked His life experience. He did
not strive for worldly greatness, and in even the lowliest position He
was content. This angered His brothers. They could not account for
His constant serenity under trial and deprivation.
Jesus was misunderstood by His brothers because He was not
like them. In looking to men they had turned away from God, and
they had not His power in their lives. The forms of religion they
observed could not transform the character. The example of Jesus
was to them a continual irritation. He hated sin and could not witness
a wrong act without pain impossible to disguise. Because the life
of Jesus condemned evil, He was opposed; His unselfishness and
integrity were commented on with a sneer. His forbearance and
kindness were termed cowardice.
Of the bitterness that falls to the lot of humanity, there was no
part Christ did not taste. Some cast contempt on 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 of being a perfect
example. Thus He would have failed of carrying out the plan for our
redemption. Had He even admitted that there could be an excuse for
sin, Satan would have triumphed, and the world would have been
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lost. Often He was accused of cowardice for refusing to unite 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 felt at peace in His presence; but many avoided Him,
rebuked by His stainless life. Young companions enjoyed His pres-
ence, but they were impatient at His scruples and pronounced Him
narrow and straitlaced. Jesus answered, It is written, “How can a
young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Thy
word... . I have laid up Thy word in my heart, that I might not sin
against Thee.”
Psalm 119:9, 11
, RSV.
Often He was asked, Why are you bent on being so different
from us all? It is written, He said, “Blessed are those who keep His
testimonies, who ... do no wrong, but walk in His ways!”
Psalm
119:2, 3
, RSV.