Jesus When the Church Hurts预览

Have you ever gone through a time when your character was questioned? Maybe you were told that you were a gossip or that you weren’t being a good friend. Or maybe things went a bit deeper, and you were told that you weren’t “respecting authority” when you voiced a concern. And all of them were (and still are) vastly untrue about you.

These are just a few things that we have been told over the course of our lives in Christian circles, and while we hope that you cannot relate, we know that it’s likely that you do. A 2024 study from the Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry (SHERM) Journal found that 1 in 3 Americans suffer some form of trauma related to religion in their lives. How many more people around the world may be suffering in the same or other ways?

One of the things we love the most about the life of Jesus is how He was fully tempted and tried by all the things that we are. Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”

Jesus wasn’t a stranger to pain in religious circles. Jesus wasn’t sent to die by “pagans” (those who didn’t practice religion at all) or new believers; He was turned over by the Jewish elites, those with the highest “church titles.” So many of our brothers and sisters across the world are living in this same reality of their lives being on the line every time they worship the One True King. For others of us, our pain begins and ends in the hands of believers, not non-believers. May we take comfort in the truth that this isn’t surprising to Jesus. As He was sending out His disciples in Matthew 10, Jesus said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Bold and intense, we know, yet there is so much comfort to be found in these few verses.

1. The Lord KNOWS that the world is full of wolves looking to devour and attack His sheep. While He gives us a heavy call to proclaim the Good News and to disciple others, He acknowledges that there is a real Enemy planning to attack His children.
2. The Lord gives us a game plan! Be shrewd and stay innocent. We love that the definition of “shrewdness” involves sharp judgment and perception. To be shrewd is to be discerning, relying on the Lord to grant us wisdom and power.
3. Expect danger, wisdom, and struggle. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Following Christ isn’t easy. Our lives do not become perfect after giving our lives to Him. There will be trials. There will be grief. There will be pain. But Jesus promises to be near, and He reminds us of the hope found in heaven - that He has already overcome death, destruction, and sin.
4. The Holy Spirit is always present. We don’t have to walk through life alone. Jesus told His disciples this (and it’s true for us also), “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” (John 14:26-27). When the Church hurts, when our character is called into question, and when we are wronged, the Holy Spirit is there as our advocate. Jesus is still our defender. And the Accuser will not win.

The Church is made up of sinners - some with good intentions, some with bad intentions, some with both. Yet, we can take heart and cling to scriptures like Matthew 10:16-20 that give us a roadmap for where we can place our hope. Our journey will not be easy. Sometimes we will be tempted to give up. But hear us, God does not excuse bad behavior, trauma, or abuse - there will be justice - and while we wait, we can take comfort in the fact that He has walked this road before, too. We are not alone - nor will we ever be.

He does not leave us or forsake us. And we thank God for that.

Amen.