Do We Embrace the Reproach of Christ?

DO WE EMBRACE THE REPROACH OF CHRIST?

by Eric C. Wheeler

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In the Book of Hebrews we read: “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Heb. 11:24-26).

The Amplified version of the Bible translates this verse this way: “(Aroused) by faith Moses, when he had grown to maturity and become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; because he preferred rather to share the oppression (suffer the hardships) and bear the shame of the people of God than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life. He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ, the Messiah (Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense)”.

In September of 2013, the Holy Spirit profoundly spoke this verse to me. As He quoted the passage, He expounded and translated it this way: “By faith [that is, by earnest, persistent, and consistent belief] Moses, in the course of his spiritual maturing and growing, refused to be called a prince of Egypt – that is, he refused to be a product of and proponent and supporter of this world – choosing rather to suffer affliction alongside the true people and servants of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures and indulgences of sin which are meaningless, and which will soon pass away, along with those who take pleasure in them. For he esteemed and embraced the reproach of Christ – that is, he valued and chose Christ’s package which involves being reviled, humiliated, unjustly treated, worldly poverty, being excluded, mocked, lonely, rejected, and belittled; for he found Christ’s package to be of far greater riches than all that this world has to offer”.

Brothers and sisters, will we also – and do we, embrace the reproach of Christ? Do we esteem His package to be of far greater value than all the riches and fleeting glory that this world has to offer? If we believe it, and choose it… then, like Moses, we must also live it. Put Christ first in all you do, and serve Him and His people in this life, and He will surely richly reward you in the next life (which is called “the re-generation”) (Matt. 19:27-30). For it is written: “God is not unjust to forget your work and the love you have shown Him and His name as you have helped His people and continue to help them” (Heb. 6:10).

May God bless you all.

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