Bearing Christ's Reproach

Hebrews 13:12-13 King James Version (KJV)

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.


Sanctify? What's That you ask?

Full Definition of SANCTIFY


1


: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use : consecrate


2


: to free from sin : purify


3


a : to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to


b : to give moral or social sanction to


4

: to make productive of holiness or piety

We as Christians are set apart by the shed blood of Christ. He died so we did not have to. He suffered. He bled. He was ridiculed, humiliated, and scorned. He endured all that so that we might be sanctified, justified, purified, and (by looking at the christian in
America today) Petrified.

Christ Suffered without the gate (meaning outside the town/city walls). He was forced to carry the instrument of His death ( the cross) after torture and beatings. He was subjected to ridicule, pain,flogging, had hid beard ripped out for us. had a crown of thorns places on His head. Now I have had a hair or two pulled out and that hurt, how does it feel to have chunks ripped out?

1 Peter 2:23-25King James Version (KJV)

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Yet, For Him, we can barely be asked to go to church because of a sore toe, a headache, or a sniffle.

How far out of our way do we go to witness? How much of an effort will we make to get the Word out? To testify? To preach/proclaim, to witness? Other than Sunday Morning that is.

The writer of Hebrews is making a very interesting point.  Let us go bearing His reproach, or in other Words bearing the scorn and humiliation He suffered. Let us get up out of our easy chairs, out of our comfort, out of our convenience area and bear the message of Christ. Let us bear His reproach, bear His persecution.

How do we do that? 

Get out there and witness and you will see. The name of Christ is being ridiculed throughout the world. It is being pushed to the side daily, always has been. But the Word of God shall prevail. Christ is the Word. Bear His name to the nations, to the people. They will hate you for it. They will persecute you, they will be-little you. But oh the joy you will find when one turns to Christ.

Not only will you have the joy here on earth but you will have lasting reward and joy in Heaven when Christ says "well done thou good and faithful servant".

He bore our sins, He bore our shame. He was blameless, He was pure yet He paid the price for us. How can we possibly not return the favor, witness and proclaim the Good News? We must.

 If you have truly shared in the saving knowledge and Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ then you know you must share the joy. It is not something you can keep to yourself.