Let it never surprise true Christians if they are slandered and misrepresented in this world. They must not expect to fare better than their Lord. Let them rather look forward to it as a matter of course, and see in it a part of the cross which all must bear after conversion.
Lies and false reports are among Satan’s choicest weapons. When he cannot deter men from serving Christ, he labors to harass them and make Christ’s service uncomfortable. Let us bear it patiently, and not count it a strange thing. The words of the Lord Jesus should often come to our minds – “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you.”[Luke 6:26] “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.” [Matt. 5:11]
Lies and false reports are among Satan’s choicest weapons. When he cannot deter men from serving Christ, he labors to harass them and make Christ’s service uncomfortable. Let us bear it patiently, and not count it a strange thing. The words of the Lord Jesus should often come to our minds – “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you.”[Luke 6:26] “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.” [Matt. 5:11]
~ J.C. Ryle
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1985], 329. {Mark 14:53-65}
