Encountering critics
Scripture for today: Matt. 5:11-12
When Robert Fulton introduced his new invention, the steamboat, naysayers lined the river bank hollering, “It’ll never start, it’ll never start.” Fulton proved them wrong. After much clanking, churning, and groaning, the boat began to move down the river. Though momentarily quiet, the critics soon rallied, yelling, “It’ll never stop, it’ll never stop.”
The Pharisees of Jesus’ day are obvious examples of such critics. In a celebration after the call of Matthew as a disciple, they said, “Why is your teacher eating with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matt. 9:11). They also accused Jesus of being a glutton and drunkard (Matt. 11:19).
Someone once said, “I don’t know the secret to success, but I do know the secret to failure – trying to please everybody.” I’ve come to realize critical people are really only exposing their own inferiority and inadequacy, often pinpointing what they struggle with the most. Place your faith and trust in the only perfect One who ever lived – Jesus.
