Hebrews 12:3 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Hebrews 12:3

Comments

This is not only about following the example of Christ. Yes, it is about considering him as an example to us in all persecution and trial, but it is about far more. It is also about all forms of opposition from the world from the devil, the opposition toward Christ and his redemptive ministry and opposition to the truth and the gospel. This chapter is about our cause, our battle. The devil is desperately trying to hold on to his own kingdom. It is a desperate effort, he really knows he is doomed, but with all his evil intelligence and his energies he is trying to frustrate the bringing in of the kingdom of righteousness.There are several things in these verses that really stir us: the price he paid for us, his love for us, the pre-eminence of the cause – if God should come himself in Christ to suffer and to die on Calvary's cross, then this must be the greatest cause in the world, the most important thing imaginable, because God has entered in to bring it about. He was continuously tested by hostile forces for three long years, despite his miracles, his mighty works of compassion from which thousands benefited. If we are rejected and persecuted because of our faith, let us consider his unflagging, unremitting patience. The word ‘contradiction’ refers to opposition not only in speech but in behaviour. So vehement were his enemies, so murderous, so unreasonable, that it was described as the contradiction of sinners. They were impudent, disrespectful, insulting, and obstinate in their opposition. They opposed his divinity. They opposed his teaching, ‘Whence hath this man this wisdom?’, yet anyone who could be objective said, ‘Never man spake like this man.’ There has never been a teacher like this. The common people heard him gladly, but the leaders of the Jews would not listen. They opposed the substance of his teaching, and they opposed his works, even though they witnessed them: their hearts were so hard. Even as he hung up on the cross, they seized the opportunity to discredit his divine miraculous powers: ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.’ And yet there is his love, and his patience.

Application

If we do not often consider Christ, if we do not think of all that he put himself through in order to save us, then we may grow weary and faint in our minds. This is the remedy: not only to see his patient behaviour and example to us, but to move our hearts. If we do not, this may very well happen to us: ‘lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds’.

‘Lest ye be wearied’, lest you tire of the things of God and weaken in your zeal and concern. We do at times become preoccupied with earthly problems, and weaken in our zeal, our love for him, and for souls. How do you get back your emotional strength is your love your gratitude to God your desire to see people saved? You sit quietly and you reflect, not on what a man suffered, but on what the eternal Son of God suffered, the most glorious person who took on human form. The mind slackens, it flops and becomes despondent. ‘I cannot go to the prayer meeting. It is a meeting of hymns, a Scripture reading, a brief statement of all the things that concern us as a church, and then prayer. There is no message, there is no entertainment; there isn't anything special to please the flesh. I cannot go because I have got too much to do, or because I am tired, but isn't the real reason that you become faint in your mind? Your faith has flopped. Of course we ought to pray or we will not be blessed. Faith has failed, the certainty that God hears and answers the prayers of his people.

Now, some Christian people slide into taking a very limited view of the Christian life and the experience of salvation. It is as though to them, ‘Christ came from heaven to earth to suffer and die for me’ – well that is true if you are a child of God. ‘But he came to suffer and to die for me in order that I could go to heaven, that I could know him on earth, that I could be blessed, that I may have a happy life, that I may have my prayers answered, so that all my difficult circumstances are overcome, that my children may grow up to be successful, my home may prosper; it is all for my benefit.’ That is the rather sad and limited view of the Christian life that some believers slide into. This chapter explodes that narrow and limited view. It says in effect, ‘You have not been saved only for your good and to be blessed by God on earth, but you have been saved in order to take part in the greatest cause in the world, and the greatest battle. We are redeemed for the purpose of serving Christ in his great scheme, in this great battle.

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Hebrews 12:3 Commentary and Bible Study