Nougat 12

There is a Jamaican saying, ‘The good you do, the thanks you get’. It suggests that we’re either criticised or taken for granted when we help others. How familiar are you with such a concept, and has it ever happened to you, or someone you know? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

“But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”” ‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭15‬, ‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Beyond the Criticism

Jesus had probably had a few such encounters. In one situation, people couldn’t appreciate Him enough for His goodness. And the next time, He was being criticised, despite all the miracles He did. They castigated Him nevertheless.

Maybe it’s one of those vagaries of life, or human nature, for it can come our way also. Of course, it feels like it should be different with Jesus. But it wasn’t. His motives were questioned quite often. And opposition to Jesus eventually led to His death at Golgotha.

Jesus’ detractors were frequently consumed with bitterness towards Him. They questioned Jesus’ identity, His character, His motives and even His capacity to perform the miracles He did. The bunch of detractors in our Nougat even called Him Satan’s henchman. Imagine the effect on those who’d been healed. That may well have been the intent. They threw just enough doubt to cast aspersions on Jesus’ character.

We are not exempt, we can expect the same or worse directed at us. RememberJesus’ warning to us in the Beatitudes? That we are blessed when we are reviled, persecuted, and even lied against for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel (see Matthew 5). In such moments, Jesus encourages us to take our eyes off our current problematic situation and instead focus on Him. Our ability to focus on Him, to do good anyway, seems to be part of what results in heavenly rewards. At least according to my interpretation of the text.

So when our good seems taken for granted, let’s opt for a heavenly perspective. Even when it’s a strain. Do good anyway.

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May all we seek be found in Christ