Today’s Reading: Luke 4:14-30
Optional Readings: Matt 4:12-25 & Ch 8-9, Mark 1:14-2:28, Luke 4:31-5:39
Early Galilean Ministry
I’m not sure I want to be a leader. I’m not sure I want to be well-known. Those who are leaders in our tiny community can attest that it’s a difficult gig. Every move you make is up for scrutiny, and the criticisms of the people can be brutal.
For Christian leaders, there is the added pressure of not just representing yourself well, but representing Jesus well. It’s a huge responsibility to shepherd a flock. Let’s not forget the accountability before God-
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” James 3:1
Gulp. That’s a lot, right? The approval of God, the approval of your congregants, the approval of the community…it would add up.
Wait, though. Maybe that’s not how it’s supposed to be. Maybe if we just focus on one of those approvals mentioned above, it would simplify things. Then we’d have just one opinion to consider.
Paul was a major leader in the church, and he said, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
We are insecure people, looking for acceptance. We long for the approval of our spouse. We need the affirmation of our boss. We want the adoration of our children. We work for recognition by the public.
We want to be accepted, so our focus shifts to the praise of people.
Jesus was strategic in His public ministry, but not self-promoting. On the contrary, for the early parts of his ministry, he tried keeping things quiet. We see Him sacrifice the acceptance of certain groups for the truth of the teachings.
Imagine you were teaching a difficult truth to an unaccepting crowd. Wouldn’t we all be tempted to backtrack, add context, make apologies, or make the extra effort to get them to accept the teaching? None of these things are wrong on their own. We are, after all, humans and imperfect communicators. Would our motivation for doing this be a desire for them to really understand, or would it be more for a sense of personal acceptance?
Jesus didn’t seem to think it necessary to circle back and re-explain things to those who had already decided to reject the teaching and therefore reject Him. Luke 4 isn’t the only place in the gospels where we see Jesus rejected for a difficult teaching. And what does he gain from it? Loneliness, homelessness, and danger.
“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” Matthew 8:20
“As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.” Mark 1:45
Jesus did all He was called to do. These passages show us many miracles, healings, and teachings. He did not allow the criticisms of men to slow Him or deter Him. Neither should we, so we need to check our motivations.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23
Obviously, we hope those Christians around us would encourage us. When we work for the Lord, though, it doesn’t matter if they do or if they don’t.
When we get too caught up in what other people think, it causes all kinds of problems, not the least of which is our own heart. Is it natural to get our feelings hurt? Sure. I think it hurt Jesus’ feelings. We don’t have to sit in that though. As I’ve heard Pastor Joe say on multiple occasions, “Stay the course.”
Lord, my feelings do get hurt when people criticize me or reject me. I know that you are familiar with the way I feel. Remind me that I’m not doing this for the approval of men. So get me out of Your way. It’s not about me anyway. I want to work for Your approval alone. Amen.