In this quote, Spurgeon compares us, the “jewel in the rough,” with Jesus, “the polished gem.” Looking to the example of Christ, and applying it to any situation we might face, is the best type of encouragement we can ever find.
Spurgeon mentions hoping that worldly people (worldlings [I love how Spurgeon uses these arcane words]) will admire us, will bring us no comfort. Beyond that we will find no comfort in our own strength, thoughts or things of this world.
Whenever I am confronted with a troubling situation or relationship, I ponder the life of Christ, because I know he experienced my feelings and pain. Christ’s experience was both physical and emotional, just like my experience or trial. He was fully man, and we shouldn’t forget, fully God.
When something bad happens to us, our natural instinct is to ask: ” Why is this happening to me?” The real question we should learn to ask is: “Why did this type of thing happen to Jesus?”
Do you think that your situation, as bad or difficult as it may be, was not experienced by Jesus? Honestly search the New Testament to find the answer. In Isaiah 53:3 Scripture tells us: “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…”
Are you acquainted with grief? Have you suffered betrayal by a close friend? Have your friends abandoned you? Are you poor? Have you suffered from hunger, or great physical pain. On the other side of things, Jesus was acquainted with happiness and joy that that came from sharing God’s love with his disciples and all he met.
Only if Christ experienced the full range of the human condition, my human condition, can he claim to be a savior, my savior. Worldlings won’t admire you. They won’t understand you, a jewel in the rough, just like they didn’t understand Jesus, the polished gem.
Dear Lord, Help me to look to you in any situation. Let me develop confidence that you understand, and that you can save, deliver and forgive me. Amen.
I hope you have been blessed by this quote and the accompanying image taken from the Spurgeon Daily Quotes iPhone app. Please visit our blog, twitter, or Facebook page regularly and pass these posts on to friends that need an encouraging word.
