A Hostile Workplace

Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a Word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

Find out why they ask

I was given very wise counsel while in Seminary: When a person asks you a question, particularly of a delicate or controversial topic, find out the reason. You could be saving a life, avoiding a quarrel, or imparting knowledge, or you could do the exact opposite, if you don’t.

(ESV)

Matthew 21:23 ESV

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Matthew Exegetical and Critical

Their inquiry was hostile in its design; His opponents would oppress Him at once by their authority; and therefore they interrupted Him even in the midst of His teaching. But the form of their inquiry was official, and according to theocratical rule: the Jewish rulers had the right to demand of a man who exercised prophetic functions the warranty of His prophetical character. But, as Jesus had already abundantly authenticated Himself by various miracles, their seemingly justifiable act was only a shameless avowal of unbelief. It was no other than the highest rebellion in the disguise of strict legality.

23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

This is VO-cation, not VA-cation

We like to think that others will recognize and rejoice as we go about the work of the Mission of God. The truth is, some will support you for the right reason, others for the wrong reason, and likewise, some will fight you for the wrong reason, and others, because they know EXACTLY what you are doing, and they are against it.

Jesus understood His purpose, and that of those who opposed Him.

Jesus never got caught up in His emotions; He stayed focused on His Mission.

Not every question is seeking an answer. Know where you’re going before you go.

Know your purpose and you won’t be drawn into theirs.

Philippians 2:1–8 ESV

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus never forgot Who He was, but He didn’t feel the need to defend who He was unless it advanced the Mission. Article VIII of the Epitome of the Formula of Concord states:

The Book of Concord Article VIII: Concerning the Person of Christ

[16] 11. According to the personal union he always possessed this majesty, and yet dispensed with it in the state of his humiliation. For this reason he grew in stature, wisdom, and grace before God and other people [Luke 2:52*]. Therefore, he did not reveal his majesty at all times but only when it pleased him, until he completely laid aside the form of a servant [Phil. 2:7*] (but not his human nature) after his resurrection.

What pleased Jesus? That which pleased the Father. His perfect unity with, and obedience to God the Father “agrees with His ceaseless consciousness of being the Son of God, “one with the Father,” and with His law of obedience: “I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love;” “I do always the things that are pleasing to Him.” It accords with the fixed rule that only one that is without spot or blemish can be the true “Lamb of God,” giving His life a ransom for the sin of the world. (Valentine, M. (1906). Christian Theology & 2 (Vol. 1, p. 143). Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society.)

Philippians 2:3 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

We are not the examples - we point others to Him who is the example of true holiness and the solution to our need for true holiness.

2 Corinthians 4:5–6 ESV

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

It’s not about us - It’s about Jesus

John 15:18–20 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

As we serve our neighbor in Jesus’ name and for Christ’s sake, some will respond in faith as the Word of Christ brings it into being. Others will not, but that is not our responsibility. Our responsibility is simple: Do not become a stumbling block that keeps others from seeing Christ, but instead diverts their attention to us. The only one who is worthy of being put on a pedestal is the One who was lifted up on a cross.