Bearing Reproach With Jesus

 Bearing Reproach With Jesus

Here is what we read, in Hebrews 13:13: "Therefore let us go to him [Jesus] outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured," (ESV).  We are to do this because our Savior "suffered outside the gate," (v. 12a).  Our "altar," (v. 10a), is not in any city in this world.  Instead, it is in the "city that is to come," (v. 14b), from heaven. . . .

 

Because of all this, the true saints of the faithful church are viewed with scorn and derision by all who seek to find their "altar," their "atonement," their "righteousness" in the people, institutions, works, and performances of this world.  The people of the world do not and cannot understand us.  They view us with suspicion and disdain--as those who are "too good" for them, too weird in our outlook, and too "anti-social" in our behavior.

 

But nonetheless--despite all the pressure on us not to do it--all true Christ-lovers end up willingly "go[ing] outside the camp," to "bear the reproach [that] He [Christ] endured."  But this is a very difficult thing to do.  Our flesh rises up against it; and it desires us to be identified with the people of the world.  None of us naturally like being or becoming the "reproach" of the world.  But still, the regenerated saints do it.  Why?

 

. . . We do it because we recognize, through the gospel grace of the Holy Spirit living in us, that this is our necessary identification with our Blessed Messiah.  We cannot stand "aloof" from Him; instead, we join Him, we go where He went and is.

 

Going "outside the camp," to identify with Jesus, and to "bear reproach" for Him is dangerous.  The world's "walls" protect those inside, not outside.  The world provides no refuge for the saints.  Christ Himself is our strength and our strong tower.  That is one of the reasons to "go" to Him.  And, in this world, where is He found?  Outside, not inside, the "camp," the "city" of this world.

 

There is a very real sense in which those who are truly redeemed by the blood of the Son of God must always "endure reproach" in this world.  And again: our natural (fallen) selves do not like this arrangement at all.  We are naturally repelled by it; and we find it disagreeable to our fallen senses.

 

But, the good news is that after we "get used" to this over a number of years, though it becomes no less repulsive to our flesh--it nonetheless begins to become somewhat "sweet" to our true Christ natures.  We begin to realize, and ask, "Is it not lovely to be identified with Jesus? To be bound to Him in His suffering and death is an honor, and the only 'safe' place; is it not?"

 

I do not wish at all to be misunderstood. . . . As long as we are here, as the Church Militant on earth, we will suffer reproach for Christ; and the world will hold us in disrespect and dishonor.  But still, by God's sovereign and wonderful grace, we are willing to endure this "reproach."  As we mature in Jesus, it will become something of an "honor" to do this.  But it is never easy--so long as we still bear about any remnant of our old flesh nature, (which will be true as long as we are in our current states).

 

Is it a glory to bear the cross for Jesus?  Yes, it is.  Is it life's supreme honor to be numbered amongst the churched disciples of The Lord Christ?  Undoubtedly, it is.

 

Let us who love Jesus be willing to glory in Him; and suffer for Him.  He is worthy of our all-in-all.

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #102

23 May 2026

 

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