OPPOSITION

 

 

If you are doing well, especially spiritually, there will always be someone who will in some way try to pull you down or destroy your relationship with God and the Church that you hold dear to your heart. The adversary will use others to accomplish this. He never sleeps. I have just been through an experience of such nature myself. It left me reflecting on the Saviour and how He endured so much opposition in his earthly life, especially during his three years of ministry.

There are also people who will uphold you, believe in you, and build you up. It’s a gift from above. These are angels sent to ensure your endurance. It always gives me comfort to reflect on the people who loved the Saviour too.

This is what I see in the Gospel of John. The most endearing is his account of events prior to Christ’s death. John records that six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany (John 12:1-3).  Why Bethany? Because in Bethany lived Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. This is where Jesus was loved, comforted, accepted and believed so Bethany was his place of refuge. The Passover was imminent and it heralded the beginning of the end. 

Imagine with what heavy heart Jesus came to Lazarus' house for the last time. And imagine what solace He felt as the woman who anointed Him was Mary, who sat at His feet and hungered for His words of eternal life. It makes sense that Mary would be the woman who would anoint Him for his burial (John 12:7). Mary anointed not only his feet but his head also (Mark 14:3), 'an act of reverential homage rarely rendered even to kings' (James Talmage, "Jesus The Christ", p 512 ). 

Mary spared no expense for the one she loved for she anointed Him with the costly ointment of spikenard. Lazarus' family was wealthy and well known to all the Jews in Jerusalem, especially to the Jewish Council who sought to kill him because Christ raised him from the dead which caused many of the Jews to believe on Him (John 12:10-11).

And did Lazarus withdraw his hospitality and shun Jesus because his life was in jeopardy? No, because he loved Him.  So, you see He was in a house of love before He began His journey to His death. John is the only one who made detailed mention of this trip to Bethany because I believe it was important to him to record that even though Christ was despised, bruised and rejected, He was also loved.

The very jaws of hell were wide open ready to swallow the Christ and prevent Him from fulfilling His purpose but He never faltered believing in His ability to see it to the end. What in my mind sealed His determination and commitment was His unwavering relationship with the Father. He promised and He desired to bring Him glory.

Remember, when the devil sends his mighty winds and storms to beat upon you, he shall have no power to drag you down to the gulf of misery, if you are built upon the rock which is the Redeemer of your soul (Helaman 5:12). He will ensure you will have His strength to survive and He will send you His love to protect you.  

Your arms are my shelter,

Your heart is my home,

My only hope

For protection from the storm.

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Light of the World by Howard Lyon)