The Reproach of Christ

Hebrews 11:26 – “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt:”

In the day and age in which we are living, people will tell you how much they have had to sacrifice for God. But in our text passage, Moses sacrificed much to become a child of God and to be named with the saints. In fact, he made more of a sacrifice than most of us would ever be willing to make. He could have anything his heart desired, anything his eyes looked upon, had he been willing to remain the son of Pharaoh's daughter.  But he chose to prefer the reproach of Christ.

What exactly does that mean – the reproach of Christ.  Well, in associating himself with God’s people, Moses knew that he would be hated – insulted – shamed – persecuted along with them.  He recognized that the future rewards he would enjoy would far outweigh the persecution he would surely endure.  It was the same attitude Christ displayed when Paul declared in Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  The reproach of Christ involves several things:

First, it involves the person of Christ.  He was unique in this world – He was virgin-born – He was eternal – He was perfect – He was God in the flesh – He was miraculous – yet He was rejected.  Solomon describes Him as the altogether lovely one.  Isaiah calls Him the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  Jeremiah calls Him the Lord our Righteousness, the righteous Branch. He is the Fairest among 10,000, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, greater than all monarchs, but unpopular among the world.  He tells us in John 14:18, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”  Therefore, we will suffer persecution

Secondly, it involves the people of Christ - common people, poor people, not many noble, not many mighty.  In fact, Christ’s disciples were common fishermen – uneducated, untrained.  These are the people who become His disciples.  Thirdly, it involves the purpose of Christ.  His purpose was to call out of the world a body.  He died for and because of the church – the body of Christ.  His purpose is to one by one snatch sinners out of hell.  It is not to convert the world – we’ll fail at that – but by winning some make a difference.

Fourthly, it involves the plan of Christ.  If you go to heaven, you have to go through the door – Christ is the door.  He said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the Truth, and the Life.”  That plan is offensive to the world – the world wants to work out its own salvation.  Fifthly, it involves the preaching of Christ.  This is His method.  1 Corinthians 1:21 says it’s “by the foolishness of preaching” – there is no other means.  The world says it’s foolish – but this is what pleases God.

Lastly, it involves the program of Christ.  He has determined that all his disciples be followers of him – that they be pure, righteous, holy, obedient, sacrificing.  We are to be about the full-time job of serving God.  We are to commit ourselves totally to Him.  After all, we are not of this world – we are pilgrims and travelers.  We are only passing through.  We need to determine, as Moses did, “Where He leads I’ll go!”

Quote – “Paul’s secret of devotion – He desired to be well-pleasing unto God.” – Jesse Boyd

"Lord, Help us to be willing to suffer the reproach of Christ, for in so doing we can be a testimony to those around me for the cause of Christ. Help us to love you more - to become involved in the spread of your gospel - to do our all to win others to Christ.   Amen."