Articles
Accused
What would you think of someone who was a constant subject of rumor? How would you feel if you heard that this person ate and drank to excess? And that this person was demon-possessed and in league with Satan? And that he was a deceiver, an evildoer, and a blasphemer?
What if you heard he was a lawbreaker? And that he was going around saying that people didn’t have to pay their taxes to the government?
Who is this person people were saying such horrible things about? Jesus. Jesus!
By reading the New Testament accounts of His life, we keep running into the accusations leveled against Him. John’s Gospel especially emphasizes the undercurrent of controversy surrounding this carpenter/teacher/healer from Nazareth.
But there is another side to the story. Jesus challenged His critics, “Which one of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46 NASB). They could accuse Him all day long, and they did, but could they prove their charges?
They absolutely hated Him! Highly motivated to find fault where none existed, His enemies tried to turn as many against Him as they could. The rumors flew but never hit the target. He was innocent! Unlike His enemies, He had never sinned.
True, His opponents did succeed in having Him executed as a criminal. But who had the last word? Jesus was able to use the cross as the altar for sacrificing Himself for the sins of the world. And then God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to the place of highest authority and glory where he now reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords.
We who follow Christ will also be unfairly treated (2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Peter 2:12; 3:16; 4:3-5). As He said to His apostles, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you . . .” (John 15:20).
But, oh, what an honor it is to follow in His steps!
