The Reproach of Christ (Heb. 11:26)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 06-08-03

 

My Worship Time                                                                Focus:  The reproach of Christ

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                       Reference:  Hebrews 11:26

 

            Message of the verse:  “26 accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward.”  (NASB)  “26 Judging a part in the shame of Christ to be better than all the wealth of Egypt; for he was looking forward to his reward.”  (BBE)

            I am following the outline in Warren Wiersbe’s book “Be Confident” and so I will only discuss the first part of this verse, and then Lord willing, will do the rest of it tomorrow.  The words “reproach of Christ” is the key words in this section.  The question is what indeed are the reproaches of Christ?  And example is found in the Strong’s concordance, which says, “1) a reproach 1a) such as Christ suffered, for the cause of God, from his enemies.”  Jesus suffered at the hands of the enemies of God so that God would be pleased, and that we could be saved from our sins.  The Egyptians reproached Moses in the case that the writer is pointing out in this verse because he gave up the riches of Egypt to live with God’s people who were in bondage. “Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”  This is an example of how believers, in this case the apostles, were giving thanks that they were worthy to suffer a reproach for the cause of Jesus Christ.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  “Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”  This is the way that I believe that I am to live my life each and every day, not being ashamed of to live my life for the cause of Christ, the One who was not ashamed to suffer the reproach of men for me.

 

The Word of God has presented a great challenge for me, a challenge that I can only accomplish by the grace of God and the power of His Spirit living within me.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  It certainly takes faith to suffer any reproaches for the cause of Jesus Christ, for the verse that I studied this morning is from the “faith chapter” of the Bible.  I want to continue to trust the Lord in the area of our investment problems.