CONNECTING POINT: How to Handle Opposition

Most of us are uneasy when it comes to opposition. The degree of opposition also plays a factor; lesser degrees can be tolerable, while greater degrees can sometimes be seemingly insurmountable. When sharp differences come between us, the potential for that relationship to deteriorate is high. How do you generally handle opposition?

Jesus certainly knew something about opposition; opposition existed from His birth in that manger to His death on the cross. After His public ministry started, even community members of His hometown of Nazareth, particularly the synagogue leaders, sharply opposed Christ. They understood His claims early on about being the Messiah but rejected Jesus (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus exemplified how to respond to opposition well; His approach was unconventional but effective.

Luke writes, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them ?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village,” (Luke 9:51-56). James and John were known as the “Sons of Thunder” for a reason, they had much different intentions than that of Jesus. Is it possible that our motivation, like the disciples at times, can be off as well? I believe so!

Here is a three-step process to utilize when approaching conflict or opposition: One: Take time to understand the history of the matter. Two: Consider our role in that history. Three: Apply Christ’s remedy of grace and forgiveness. As with any process we need to continually implement the steps. First, allow me to give you some of the historical background of the “bad blood” between the Jews and the Samaritans. Numerous accounts on this matter are covered by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John but notably the Good Samaritan parable and the

powerful interaction of Jesus with the woman at the well of Sychar. The skirmish between these two groups dates back nearly four hundred years (1 Kings 12 & 2 Kings 17) as the nation of Israel divided. One sticking point was the place of worship, the Samaritan’s worship on Mount Gerizim, and the Jews worshiped in Jerusalem. Then in 128 BC the Jews attacked Shechem and destroyed the temple. All the killing back and forth in the name of “worship” was a tragic and sad reality.

Second, Jesus was a truth-teller and taught principles that dealt with the intentions of the heart by looking introspectively versus outward looking. When we are quick to blame others or nitpick at the sliver in their eye, we fail to see the log in our own. Jesus rebuked James and John over their animosity which was rooted in decades of relational strife.

Third, Jesus came with a purpose to bring freedom to the captives through His grace and forgiveness. What can captivate us? The sin which separates us from God and sin damages our relationships with others. Jesus’ rebuke of even His own disciples was meant for their good, to experience that forgiveness can free us from our own wickedness. C.S. Lewis said, “Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.”

Jesus demonstrated that there is a better way to handle opposition. Maybe we should practice His way more often. David Willis wisely states, “Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.”