The paradox of rejection Week 13, 2015

One of the paradoxes in life is how people reject those destined to help, even save them. The one rejected in this way has a love for those doing the rejecting and is separated from them (often owing to wickedness meted out) and forgotten for a while. The thread runs through scripture. Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace Acts 7:9-10(NIV). Yet it was Joseph that was placed by God to save both they and the rest of mankind from famine. Their very act of rejection turned out to be the pathway to his ordained saving work. Jephthah was equally rejected by his brethren for the wrong reasons. Gilead's wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. "You are not going to get any inheritance in our family," they said, "because you are the son of another woman." So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob Jdg 11:2-3(NIV). Yet God ordained him to deliver the family of Gilead and all Israel from the Ammonites. Their rejection was simply leading to military experience preparing him in God’s call. Eventually those involved in rejecting need to submit to the rejected one so as to enjoy the benefits of the ordained salvation. That was so with Joseph, with Jephthah and Moses. "This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.” Acts7:35 (NIV)

God has a ministry for those who have been rejected unfairly – a ministry encompassing and yet exceeding those who reject you. Jesus came to His own in Jerusalem as the king. Yet the rulers of the Jews rejected Him; the prophecy of Zechariah which He fulfilled notwithstanding. Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." Jn12:14-15(NIV). Could it be they were ignorant of the writings so clear? Such rejection is painful, the result of blindness, and the consequence far reaching.  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. Lk 19:39, 41-42(NIV). Yet Jesus is the saviour of all.

Have you been rejected, driven away by those you love? So was Jesus. Eventually the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts6:7(NIV). I say you have a work from God in the lives and destinies of those who unfairly reject you. Though it be painful remain steadfast. Love them through to see it happen. Like the others I expect you will receive a crown.

Delivered from bitterness Week 12, 2015

I had always believed in early retirement. In fact I planned to work only fifteen years for the government after my residency in paediatric cardiology and then retire whilst still strong. And so I started planning on increasing my revenue base even before marrying. I partnered with a friend of mine to invest in a vehicle spare-parts shop which we sited at a part of Jos surrounded by Muslims. Muslims; they have hurt me. When in 2004 I was travelling from Tambuwal to Sokoto the cab driver assumed I was one and began speaking of the terrorist attacks happening in the West with relish. “Soon we will wipe out Israel!” he asserted. I can still remember his face. Since there were other passengers in the vehicle I simply nodded to his talk.

Well this incident was in 2008. It followed the riots in Kano where my aunt was wounded by the same Muslims. Back here in Jos there was a riot and my shop was burnt down and looted. All my life savings had gone into that shop and in one day it had all gone away. The following Monday I got to work at the teaching Hospital and the first patient that met me was wearing a hijab. She was a Muslim! I could see other patients waiting for me too - all Muslims. Hatred welled up within me and the thought just came to me, “If I get insulin and inject into them no one will be able to trace what happened.” They would all certainly die there. But God rebuked me immediately. The word came into my heart: “If you die now, you know where you are going. You will be with me, but if these ones die now they will surely go to hell. Now who is winning if they die and go to hell? Is it Jesus who sacrificed His lifeblood for them or the Devil who is carrying so many in his train?” I was rebuked. I had been born preterm and spent the first weeks of my life in an incubator. Survival then in the 1970’s was dicey yet God delivered me and I am a consultant. God has made me see that this Boko Haram matter is just another manifestation of the flesh. The prostitute and Shekau (their leader) are controlled by the same forces. While the prostitute’s own manifests in this way his own manifests in violence. In fact all of us (myself inclusive) were like them. We ourselves were once foolish… Tit 3:3(ESV)  

My attitude towards them has changed completely. I now go out of my way to help all my patients - Muslim and all. In fact most of my patients are Muslims. A little while back one of them after discharge from hospital could not pay her bills and I used my own money to help out. Maybe she appreciated it but she did not return to thank me. One of the nurses (her fellow Muslim) on noticing that chided her, and discouraged me from such an attitude. “Such people are not worth helping” she said. But I won’t stop. Interestingly I have noticed Muslim patients prefer to come to me, a Christian doctor, than their fellow Muslims. Some people have wondered how I behave this way. I make it known to them the reason is Jesus Christ living in me: the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone … patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him … 2Tm 2:24(ESV).                        

Chris works in University of Jos Teaching Hospital

Humble yourself first Week 11, 2015

“I don’t know why I have to be under such a person as this. It is beneath me really. Such unbecoming conduct eh…”

Don’t say such things. It is God that has put people in authority so be respectful. Be willing to serve the people who have authority in this world. Do this for the Lord 1Pt 2:13(ERV).

“Respect? Respect is earned, not handed out on a platter to undeserving human beings. This is how you people use the Bible to marginalize others. Let me see that worthiness first then we can negotiate the respect. Judge between us who is now more Christian. No don’t shake your head: tell me…”

It doesn’t work out that way. Have you not read about the baptism of Jesus. He who had no sin was come to a man with sin to submit to him. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River. He came to John, wanting John to baptize him Mt 3:13(ERV). Even John recognized his unworthiness to baptize the messiah. "I baptize you with water to show that you have changed your hearts and lives. But there is someone coming later who is able to do more than I can. I am not good enough to be the slave who takes off his sandals.” Mt 3:11 (ERV). Is the difference between both of you that wide?

“That’s just it. It may not be that wide but it is glaring o. Why on earth should such anomalies happen? Isn’t this the reason why the spiritual atmosphere here is so bleak, and heavens so closed?”

Be careful beloved. A hint at pride comes through your tone. The first thing in coming to God for a healing is not the praying but the humbling of ourselves: when my people humble themselves—the ones who are called by my name—and pray, seek me, and turn away from their evil practices, I myself will listen from heaven… 2Ch 7:14(ISV).  Jesus humbled himself according to God’s plan. Jesus answered, "Let it be this way for now. We should do whatever God says is right." Mt 3:15(ERV).  So must you. For a Christian the respect cannot depend on the recipient’s worthiness but on God’s command. Which of us after all is truly worthy of any respect considering our past sins and present ups and downs? When Jesus went to John there was a silence around. The voice from heaven only came when He had submitted to John’s baptism. In fact the heavens were open to Him thereafter. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove Mk 1:10(NIV). Do you not need heaven to be open to you? When you have thus humbled yourself even if they were like iron curtains God will tear them open and pour out His Spirit. You can keep your pride and have no affirmation from God publicly that you are His, and that He is well pleased with you. Don’t give or deny people the respect simply because of their money or power or position or workings of righteousness (or lack of it). Give it because God says so. Excel at showing respect for each other Rom 12:10(ISV).

Have you been rejected? Week 10, 2015

                                                 

It is a painful thing to be rejected. Whoever enjoys the experience? “Why? What did I do wrong?” Questions like that come again and again to mind, along with a feeling of resentment towards the person(s) who rejected you. It is a vulnerable feeling when you do not handle it well. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Gen 4:6-7 (NIV). Cain is no example of handling rejection. His rejection was as a result of his error anyway. When we have been rejected how do we drive away the sin crouching at the door? Bitterness or hatred towards those who reject you is poisonous. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 1 Jn 2:9(NIV). The first thing is to crosscheck the rejection did not arise from our sin, our laziness, or neglect of doing things by the rules. If that is the case please repent urgently. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Heb 12:16-17(NIV). “But Pastor I had done nothing wrong” you may protest. “In fact I am being rejected for doing the right thing.” How did Jesus handle it?

Do not seek vengeance or punishment upon those who reject you (nor any accepted instead of you as Cain did). Inhabitants of a village of the Samaritans rejected Jesus because He was set on going to Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, Lk 9:54-55(NIV). Rebuke any who suggests doing such on your behalf. Bless everyone and realise God has another place prepared for you: and they went to another village. Lk 9:56(NIV). Consider Jesus’ rejection after casting out the legion of demons. Jesus blessed the people in commissioning the man "Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” Lk 8:39(NIV) and He left. No qualms. But notice what happened next. Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.Lk8:40(NIV). When we are walking with God rejection by men simply signifies that another ministry location beckons.

Have you been rejected by someone? God has someone waiting to welcome you. Has a door of service been closed by your being rejected? Struggle not. A glorious open door is eagerly expecting you. Rightly responding to rejection is being led by the spirit not punishment by man or victory to Satan. When the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus the result was that God turned to you and I; and so non Jews have been included in God’s salvation: the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God's offer of salvation... Rom 11:12(NLT).   Rejoice!