Misunderstood: December 27, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 27, 2013.

MISUNDERSTOOD

DEFINITION:

To understand or interpret incorrectly; attach a wrong meaning to; unappreciated; misjudged.

SCRIPTURE:

And being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. I Peter 2:23

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

It hurts to be misunderstood. When our motives are right and our actions are above reproach, we want to be accepted and appreciated and it hurts when our purpose is misunderstood and we are rejected.

Jesus understands our anguish and pain when we are misunderstood. Christians are mocked and made fun of for their faith in Jesus and their Christian values but no one has been misunderstood and mocked more than Jesus.

Judas was one of Jesus’ own disciples but he had no understanding of Jesus’ purpose and mission. Judas thought Jesus would overthrow the Romans and set up a new government.

Even the religious leaders misunderstood who Jesus was. They knew the scriptures and should have been the ones to understand that Jesus was their Messiah. They saw Jesus as a threat to their positions and power because of His popularity. The Scribes and Pharisees could not accept that Jesus was the Son of God. They thought He was from Satan (Matthew 12:24).

Those from Jesus hometown of Nazareth misunderstood Jesus. They saw Him only as the carpenters son and they took offense at Him (Matthew 13:55-58).

King Herod misunderstood who Jesus was also. When he heard the reports about Jesus and His miraculous works, Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.

We read what Peter said about our Lord, above. Jesus was reviled (abused or maligned) with abusive and vile language. His response was to never retaliate with vicious words or threats. He always responded in love.

To be misunderstood and treated badly when your motives were right and your actions were above reproach, as in the case of our Lord, usually brings frustration and bitterness. But this is not how Jesus responded and we can learn from this.

The temptation that most of us have when we face misunderstanding is to withdraw, sulk, or immerse ourselves in self pity and then grieve. But these reactions are wrong and are not how our Lord responded.

Criticism and misunderstandings will teach something we need to know about ourselves. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work for good to them that love the Lord. The enemy uses being misunderstood for evil but God can and will use circumstances of misunderstanding for good in a believer’s life. But we must be willing to let Him do it and we show our willingness by the depth of our trust in Him.

When we have suffered because of misunderstanding we can be sure God understands our pain. When we turn it over to God, then by Gods grace, He will turn the situation around and bring us into a new and stronger relationship with the Lord. This could be one of the most rewarding experiences of one’s life.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1.

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.

PRAYER:

Help me, dear Father, to allow You to use the hurtful misunderstandings in my life for good. Give me a spirit of forgiveness and a sensitive heart towards those who wrong me.