Bearing The Reproach Of Christ
“Let us go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.”—Hebrews 13:13
The profession of Jesus is easy to nature. There is nothing irksome to the flesh in being called a Christian. But to know Jesus in heart, to confess him with the tongue, and to follow him in our life, will ever expose us to reproach and contempt. But if, with Philip, we have really found that blessed person of whom Moses and the prophets wrote, we must, we shall speak of him to others. We shall esteem Jesus our beloved as our richest treasure. Our hearts and affections will be going out after him. Moses’s choice will be ours: we shall esteem the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. But fleshly wisdom is contrary to all this. That ever prompts, ‘Save thyself, take care of thy good name; fear lest thou be cast out as evil, beware of thy character, go not too far, thou wilt sustain damage. In the camp of this world, riches, pleasures, and honours are enjoyed. Study the happy mean: thou mayest hold with the world, and yet not quit Jesus.’ Nay, but thou canst not love and serve two such contrary masters; thou wilt soon grow tired of one or the other. The inward glory and peace of Jesus will not, cannot be enjoyed but while the heart and affections are placed on him. The faith of Jesus is contrary to the world, it cannot be reconciled to its vain customs and sinful maxims. Faith is the victory that over-cometh the world; the world is an enemy’s camp. A despised Nazarene is the Christian’s glory; to bear his reproach is our highest honour.
The heaven-born soul, though like a captive imprisoned in flesh, yet hath free access to Jesus by faith. So it endures present reproaches, seeing him that is invisible. And do we hope for future sight, and eternal fruition of him who endured the cross and despised the shame for us? Let us take and bear his cross; despised disciples let us be. Look down on the world with contempt. Look up to Christ with joy. Go forth to meet him in love, oh soul. Remember, ever bear on thy mind, Jesus went forth cheerfully to meet all his conflicts and agonies for us. It is but a little while ere we shall go forth from the body to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we be ever with the Lord. 1 Thess. 4:17
When I can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,
I bid farewell to every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes.
Should earth against my soul engage,
And hellish darts be hurled,
Then l can smile at Satan’s rage,
And face a frowning world.
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
