You Could Not Please Everyone, Jesus--Feb. 5, 2017

Lord Jesus, even you could not please everyone;

you had to endure fierce hostility,

and no one understood you; then you were  

taken away, and you

perished.

.

Grant me empathy for those who must endure

unjust criticism and hostility;

and search me and lead me away from

my own sin of unjust

hostility.

Jesus, when I am the target, let me listen

to my critics, and help me

discern what is just and what is not,

for I tend to hear any criticism

of me as hostile.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139

Isa. 57:1-13

Heb. 12:1-6

John 7:37-46

Selected Verses

Ps. 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
          test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
          and lead me in the way everlasting.

Isa. 57:1a-b

The righteous perish,
          and no one takes it to heart;
the devout are taken away,
          while no one understands. 

Heb. 12:3

Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 

John 7:43

So there was a division in the crowd because of [Jesus].