Then Moses and Aaron returned to Egypt and called all the elders of Israel together. Aaron told them everything the Lord had told Moses, and Moses performed the miraculous signs as they watched. Then the people of Israel were convinced that the Lord had sent Moses and Aaron. When they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.
(Exodus 4: 29-31 NLT)
The Israelite foremen could see that they were in serious trouble when they were told, “You must not reduce the number of bricks you make each day.” As they left Pharaoh’s court, they confronted Moses and Aaron, who were waiting outside for them. The foremen said to them, “May the Lord judge and punish you for making us stink before Pharaoh and his officials. You have put a sword into their hands, an excuse to kill us!”
(Exodus 5:19-21 NLT)
Leaders are familiar with a phenomenon of having supporters fall away when something is required of them . . . or things get difficult. This isn’t a modern phenomenon because Moses experienced the same sort of reactions. And then some.
Early on, the people were overjoyed when Moses first told God’s people that he had been sent to approach Pharaoh and demand their release. But when Pharaoh made things more difficult for them by taking away their straw, and things became harder to meet their master’s requirements, they blamed Moses for their troubles. Not Pharaoh—Moses.
But for Moses, even with a disgruntled people and the opposition of Pharaoh, he needed to remain faithful to God’s calling. In the face of rejection, displeasure, and hard “nos,” Moses had to persevere.
What Moses experienced was but a foreshadowing of what Jesus also endured.
Jesus confronted the religious leaders on behalf of the people and yet faced great opposition. And when He told the people following Him hard things—people He came to save—they rejected Him (John 6:60). “But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, ‘Do you take offense at this?’” (John 6:61) He further inquired, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:67).
The question Jesus posed to His disciples then is one we too must decide for ourselves.
I applaud Peter for his astute reply: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
Regardless of the disapproval of others, the rejection of His teaching, and the opposition He faced, Jesus remained resolutely steadfast and faithful to the mission of God.
People disapproved of Jesus message, means, and methods. They did so then. They do so today. But He was perfectly righteous in all He said and did. And because He was, His righteousness, by grace, is attributed to those who are His.
Living the kingdom life is a high standard, with many challenges, but His followers are called to faithfulness.
It’s a narrow path . . . but it leads to life (Matthew 7:14).
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