“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:3).
Like any good leader, Jesus is someone who leads by example. For instance, we would do well to consider the various acts of hostility that were inflicted upon Jesus whenever we face conflict with others. Those examples run like a thread throughout the New Testament gospel of John…
“Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18).
“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him” (John 7:1).
“[Jesus said] I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you” (john 8:37).
“Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by” (John 8:59).
“Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?’ The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God'” (John 10:31-33).
“The Jews answered [Pontius Pilate], ‘We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God'” (John 19:7).
Some of our conflicts may grow out of relationships with disagreeable spouses, antagonistic co-workers, unreasonable employers. disruptive neighbors, or contentious family members. Others must deal with the hostilities imposed by government entities, business organizations, religious movements, or groups that are averse to Christianity.
When such things occur, we would be wise to “Think about the one who endured such opposition from sinners so that you won’t be discouraged and you won’t give up” (CEB). We might also consider Jesus’ cautionary message from John 15:20: “Do you remember what I said to you, ‘The servant is not greater than his master’? If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you as well, but if they have followed my teaching, they will also follow yours” (Phillips).
Thus, as one source concludes, “…if we would look to Christ’s example instead of looking at our own afflictions, we would not become so weary or fainthearted. Are you unhappy over your sacrifice? Take a new look at His!” (1)
(1) Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 2576.