Such Contradiction of Sinners

The Lord Jesus is our example of faithfulness in the Lord's work in the face of the contradiction, or opposition, of sinful men.

It was the death of a beloved physician in our community that brought to mind the sad things said against our Savior when He hung upon the tree for us.

The doctor was a kind and excellent practitioner, and his early death is a blow to our town. He rescued many patients from dying, but in the end, he could not save himself, and was cut down by the influenza epidemic sweeping the nation.

Many people rightfully mourn his passing, and there will be no criticism voiced, but only sorry at the loss.

But the Lord Jesus was treated very differently throughout His ministry. His healings were far more spectacular than anything our kind doctor did. Jesus opened blind eyes, and raised up the dead from the grave!

Yet the Lord Jesus was mocked and ridiculed and condemned as a criminal and demon possessed.

From the beginning, Jesus was set forth as a sign to the people. Isaiah recorded that He would be born of a virgin, and that He would be God's Son, the promised Messiah.

But the people ignored that sign and denied the divine miracle of His birth. Sometimes they even implied the slur that He was illegitimate.

But this all had been predicted by Simeon at Christ's dedication as an infant. He would be a sign to be spoken against.

Think of it: God sends Christ as a sign of His love, an ensign of salvation, and the people mock the sign and degrade the Savior.

Even as He healed the sick and cast out demons, the Jewish leaders insulted Him and His works! They rejected what the signed pointed to - He is the Savior of poor sinners!