Scripture:
“Then Jesus addressed the mob: ‘What is this—coming out after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I have been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. You’ve done it this way to confirm and fulfill the prophetic writings.’ Then all the disciples cut and ran. The gang that had seized Jesus led him before Caiaphas the Chief Priest, where the religion scholars and leaders had assembled.” Matthew 26:55-57
Perspective:
When you stand strong, it isn’t always popular. Maybe you stood up for a friend who was being bullied or stood up for your faith. Instead of everyone falling to their knees in repentance, they chose to oppose you. The negative attention directed at someone else was then directed toward you. What do you do when you try to stand strong but face opposition?
Jesus stood strong even though all the disciples left and the crowds of people who followed him were nowhere in sight. A mob of people were against him, but he was not intimidated by the mob or the fact that he was standing alone. When we are faced with opposition, do we find ourselves standing strong or shrinking back? Jesus knew that there would be opposition, yet He didn’t let opposition detour Him from His purpose. He understood His mission. Since the salvation of the world was on the line, He looked past the current opposition, criticism, and animosity. Aren’t you thankful that Jesus didn’t back down in that moment? His courage in the face of opposition impacted the world forever. And, when you display courage in the midst of opposition, you will begin to impact the world around you.
