The Unpopular JesusSample

When Jesus delivers us out of our distress, that's wonderful. When I need money, and He helps me and my situation changes; when I'm sick, and God radically intervenes and heals me; when my stuff is stolen and recovered; when there's no way out, and God opens a door for me, then Jesus is popular.

But can we react as Job did when all his livestock were stolen and all his children died in a whirlwind? "If we accept the good of God, shouldn't we also accept the bad?" (Job 1:21-22).

When persecution comes, and it continues day after day, and I pray, and there is no way out, when I get sick, and healing doesn’t come (even though all the “faith healers" are praying for me) when people don't like me because I'm a Christian and mock and oppress me, yes, even insult and humiliate, then Jesus is not popular. When this happens, too often people turn away and begin to walk a different path, remain silent, do not witness openly, and do not hold on to the high standard of our Christianity.

Few understood and embraced the words of Jesus when He said: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what is right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men insult and persecute you for My sake and falsely say all that is bad about you. Rejoice and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven. After all, they persecuted the prophets before you likewise" (Matt.5:10-12).

Some of the most powerful instruments in God's hand were people who lived under intense physical suffering. Smith Wigglesworth, who prayed for the healing of others and witnessed extraordinary miracles, often suffered pain and illness himself. David Brainard, a remarkable and fruitful missionary who worked among the Indians, walked around with disease in his body and eventually died at the age of 29. Hudson Taylor, the founder of the China Inland Mission, knew sickness, suffering, weakness, death and disappointment and yet continued with his work.