Bearing reproach

Jesus (Yahshua) spoke many times about suffering reproach to those who bear His name.

Reproach = Expression of disapproval, a disgrace, to discredit as being worthless, to scorn, blameworthy, to reprove.

The definition of reproach sure reads as something any one of us would want to avoid at all costs,but our Lord understands all too well what it feels like to be alienated from His own family or by those He thought to be His friend (Psalm 69:6-10) Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face: I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. (Isaiah 53),(Psalm 69:16-21).

It may not be comfortable to endure,but it is an honor to suffer for Christs sake,and by doing so we are happy Gods spirit rests upon us. We truly can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! (1 Peter 4:12-14) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

If we truly are in the Lord we are not winning any popularity contests, and although we are considered fools for Christs sake we are honourable in the eyes of the one we serve! (1 Corinthians 4:9-15) For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.