Opposition from sinners

"Think of the way he persevered against such opposition from sinners and then you will not lose heart and come to grief." (Hebrews 12:3)

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is a time for resolutions, a time to begin afresh. It is a season of grace, a season that God himself calls "a favorable time; a very acceptable time." Lent is also a time for great temptations. When we enter into the spirit of Lent, we move into the desert. The desert is a place of struggle; it is a place and time for spiritual warfare. Those who are opposed to God will oppose us. Hebrews 12:3 urges us to be steadfast in the face of "such opposition from sinners." In order not to falter, we should fix our eyes on Jesus who "persevered against such opposition from sinners." If we do not fix our eyes on Jesus, then we "will lose heart and come to grief."