Of No Reputation
Ever felt the sting of your reputation being slandered?
You wonder how to deal with accusations. You wonder to yourself, is there some action on your part which was completely misconstrued? Does your accuser have some pernicious ulterior motive? Well, hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I have a friend who is going through this right now. She’s a godly woman; but she is an outspoken woman… and I am ‘thinking’ this might be probably the root of this other person’s slanderous comments. My friend is just a strong, outspoken woman.
So this friend, Nancy (and that’s not her real name), and Nancy, the one whose reputation has been maligned… she asked me for a little advice. And all I could think of was Jesus. I don’t suppose anyone was more maligned, more bad-mouthed than our Savior who was the constant focus of other people’s slander. Jesus is the one who could write the book on what defamation of character really means, right? You know His reputation was smeared, His name blasphemed. But Jesus? Well, it says in Philippians Chapter 2 verse 7 that He [quote] “made Himself of no reputation.” He didn’t retaliate. He didn’t strike back. In fact, the Bible says He was silent before His accusers. When, on Good Friday, they were hurling accusations at Him, the prophet Isaiah foretold that He stood there before His shearers like a sheep with no complaint. No, no words of resistance.
And so, I told Nancy, I said when it comes to identifying with Christ, and I know you want to, and becoming like Him you know most of us think cultivating patience, endurance, perseverance as we carry our own “cross of physical pain.“ Sure that’s identifying with Jesus, but the deeper meaning behind identifying with Christ is all about persecution (of which Nancy is experiencing a very clear type of it). So in a real way, she is experiencing what Christ experienced – Nancy has been made a woman of no reputation. And that alone binds her to Jesus in a real and intimate way that many people never experience. She is becoming like Christ, as it concerns what some people think of her. They thought ill of Christ? They misunderstood and maligned Him? Well, Nancy, bless her heart, is among those who are experiencing the same. And boy does that bind her to Jesus.
My advice to her was to gather around friends who will pray… reach out with Christian love and appeal to that malicious person on the basis of brotherhood… defend what can be defended… … and let mercy and grace guide her from here on out. And after that? Just, just, just leave it in God’s hands, and bless those who curse you… bless those who persecute you the Bible says. And wait on the Lord with the 1 Corinthians Chapter 4 verse 5 perspective, “Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He’ll bring to light what was hidden in darkness, and will expose the motives of the heart.”
It’s just what Jesus did on Easter week, especially the day leading up to his crucifixion. He blessed those who cursed Him, and He prayed for those who maligned Him. And we would do the same. Oh, friend, given that this is Easter coming up fast, um, please be sure to visit joniradio.org, would you? And ask for your free copy of “Evidence for the Resurrection.” Because you’ll want this handy booklet if you encounter someone who maligns Jesus, or hates His good name, and despises His resurrection. So be sure to visit Joniradio.org today, and pick up your gift. And I pray for all those who, like Nancy, have to make themselves of no reputation. And when you think about it, it should be all of us. When you have a chance today, drop by joniandfriends.org.
© Joni and Friends
Evidence for the Resurrection
Here are 12 reasons skeptics should believe that Jesus died and rose again. Examine the historical, archaeological, and cultural proofs for Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Also, know the answers to other beliefs held by atheists and others. Learn why the resurrection is central for Christians. Discover the evidence that has convinced critics over the years.
