Session 9

If you’re feeling disliked, you’re in good company

From Matthew: A 28-Day Devotional

Have you ever felt disliked? Maybe even hated? Most of us have at some point in our lives.

Jesus did, too.

The Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders, hated Jesus. They treated Him like a suspected criminal — always following close behind, watching Him, waiting to see if He did something against the rules they had studied, memorized and defined.

Jesus was born into a humble family, and many may have considered Him to be the underdog. He was not what the Pharisees were expecting as they anxiously awaited the arrival of the Messiah, so they discounted Him.

Matthew 12 records a time when Jesus went into the synagogue, knowing the Pharisees would be there to condemn Him. Still, He approached a man with a shriveled hand. As the Pharisees watched to see if Jesus would heal this man on the Sabbath (a day of rest when no work was to be done), Jesus healed him by restoring his hand, just as sound as the other.

The Pharisees thought they had caught Jesus in the act. Now they had evidence that Jesus was unlawfully performing miracles on the Sabbath. Jesus had gone after the one, a man whose life needed to be changed, in the face of persecution. Jesus explained this man’s life was more valuable than recovering a lost sheep on the Sabbath. Whereas the Pharisees thought it was more appropriate to keep the letter of the law.

Jesus still goes after the one. He accepts us for who we are no matter who is watching. You are valuable to Him.

Reflect:

• What is something in your life you need Jesus to restore?
• Do you ever find yourself trying to conform to rules instead of following Jesus’ example?
• What can you learn from Jesus when it comes to showing your faith in the face of adversity?