What about those who mock us?

Sometimes the good that a Christian does is mocked and criticized, particularly if that good is for Jesus. The critics do not understand our priority of pleasing or blessing God. One example is the way Judas reacted to Mary’s act of worship:

“So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.” (John 12:2–6)

Judas exemplifies those more interested in money than the Lord. His words about the poor were intended to make a good impression, but by those words, he demonstrated no concern at all about worship, only that he had control of the money.

In our city, a Christian organization uses a building to feed and shelter hundreds of poor and homeless people. The building is old and inadequate so they are raising funds to build a new facility. The cost is significant. Donations have come in to cover about half of it. This charitable organization has approached local government for financial help with the rest of it. The government sent an official to check it out. The report came back: We don’t want to help any group that makes people pray before they feed them.

In the first place, no one can make people pray. If someone does not want to express thanks to God for their food, even going through the motions is not prayer. However, the bigger issue is not that far from what happened when Mary blessed Jesus — the person with the moneybag wanted to be in control of the funds. He didn’t want anything given to Jesus nor did he want to help the poor, even though he said otherwise. He was only interested in controlling the money.

At this point, the funds for a new building have not been given approval and the Christian organization continues to receive donations. Perhaps God will circumvent the government and supply funds without them. Whatever happens, God will laugh at the political snub — just as the psalmist says He will:

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ‘As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.’ I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 2:1–12)

God has made Jesus Christ ruler of all. No matter what politicians and world leaders do or say, the Lord is in charge. Their tether is only as long as He allows and eventually all will fall under His judgment.

Not only that, as Judas plotted to kill Jesus he did not realize that God had a plan. As Peter said,

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:22–24)

^^^^^^^^^^

God, what Judas did was under Your sovereign control. That man was responsible for the evil he did, yet You are in charge, a concept hard to understand nevertheless true. Even now, all that our local governing authorities do or refuse to do is subject to Your sovereign will. We may not agree with or like their decisions, yet You are in charge and we can trust that Your will is done. When our leaders seem to plot against You, You laugh. May I trust You so much that I can laugh also.