JESUS UNDERSTANDS: WHEN YOURE FEELING CRITICIZED

THESIS: Serve God Anyway

TEXT: Mark 2:133:6
OPEN: (Do This & Criticism Cant Hurt You by Dale Carnegie, Lifetime Plan For Success, p. 424-425)
Do This And Criticism Cant Hurt You
by Dale Carnegie
(Lifetime Plan For Success, p. 424-425)

Many of us take the little jibes and javelins that are hurled at us far too seriously. I remember the time,
years ago, when a reporter from the New York Sun newspaper attended a demonstration meeting of my
adult-education classes. He lampooned me and my work. I took it as a personal insult. I telephoned the
chairman of the Sun and practically demanded that he print an article stating the facts instead of ridicule. I
was determined to make the punishment fit the crime.
I am ashamed now of the way I acted. I realize that half the people who bought the paper never saw that
article. Half of those who read it regarded it as a source of innocent merriment. Most of those who may
have gloated over it forgot all about it in a few weeks. People are not thinking about you and me or caring
what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves before what is said about us. They are thinking
about themselves before breakfast, after breakfast, and right on until ten minutes past midnight.
I discovered years ago that although I couldnt keep people from criticizing me unjustly, I could do
something infinitely more important: I could determine whether I would let the unjust condemnation
disturb me.

As the Son of GodJesus is perfect in all ways. Yet He was and still is criticized. Irish poet Oscar Wilde
once said, No good deed goes unpunished. There were those who complained about our Lord and Savior
because He did good works and while He was doing them. What was His reaction to it?
Mark 3:5 (Jesus) looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts
Does this surprise you? Christ did not always react this way, but He did this particular time after a barrage
of attacks. In Mark 2:133:6 lets discover why Jesus understands what its like to feel criticized and
what were to do when it happens to us.
Mark 2:13-16 A large crowd came to (Jesus), and He began to teach them. As He walked along He
saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collectors booth. Follow Me, Jesus told him, and Levi got
up and followed Him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levis house, many tax collectors and
sinners were eating with Him and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. When the
teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked
His disciples: Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?
The Circumstance WITH JESUS:
*Jesus calls tax collector Levi (Matthew) to be one of His twelve apostles: Follow Me, He told him.
--Roman Empire tax collectors who were Jewish were considered traitors by their countrymen.
--Rome sometimes used taxation as a way to remind the Jews of their oppression and allowed extortion.
Luke 3:12-13 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. Teacher, they asked, what should we do?
Dont collect any more than you are required to, (John the Baptist) told them.
--The issue of taxation was instrumental in a couple of Jewish revolts against Rome.
The Criticism OF JESUS:
*The teachers of the law who were Pharisees asked: Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?
--Table fellowship meant acceptance and unity.
--Pharisee means separated one. They formed about 100-years prior to Christs birth. They were rigid

and hypocritical leaders who considered their teachings and traditions on par or greater than Scripture.
--The Pharisees were upset because, to them, if Jesus was a teacher of righteousness then He wouldnt be
eating with traitors and sinners. They expected Him to shun them.
The Comeback BY JESUS:
*Jesus didnt rescind His choice of Matthew as an apostle instead He taught the wisdom of God. He
redeems the criticism of the Pharisees by using it as an object lesson.
--Mark 2:17 Upon hearing this, Jesus said to them, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
When youre feeling criticized for doing goodhow should you react? Be like Jesusserve God anyway.
Romans 12:19-21 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for Gods wrath, for it is written: It is
Mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is
thirsty, give him something to drink, in doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Application: (The Sensitive Persons Guide To Handling Criticism by Peter Clemens)

The Sensitive Persons Guide to Handling Criticism

by Peter Clemens
(www.pickthebrain.com/blog/the-sensitive-persons-guide-to-handling-criticism)

Has this ever happened to you? Youre happily going about your day when, out of nowhere, someone
criticizes something you say or do. Suddenly you lose focus and cant stop thinking about what they said or
wrote. You know you shouldnt be bothered, but knowing doesnt help you stop thinking about it often.
Understanding Criticism
Its not always about you. The truth is, there are some angry, jealous and insecure people in the world
who are critical because well. thats just the way they are.
Its inevitable. Once actress Drew Barrymore was criticized by some people after donating $1 million
dollars to charity.
It may be justified. We each have our imperfections. We sometimes do or say something wrong.
How to Handle Criticism
Dont take it personally. Sometimes criticism has very little to do with you and a lot to do with the other
persons own insecurities, anger or unique way of seeing the world. If someone makes a nasty personal
attack on you, there is a good chance that it is actually them that has the problem. At the other end of the
spectrum, if someone criticizes you in a constructive manner dont let your own pride get in the way of
hearing what they have to say.
Learn. Sometimes there is good reason for people to be critical of what we say or do. So if you are
criticized for whatever reason, try to be open-minded about it. Perhaps even welcome it by expressing
gratitude to your critic. It may not be nice to hear criticism, but such feedback is often a part of the learning
process and can provide us with valuable insights into how we can improve and grow as a person.
Do it anyway. Dont change the way you act or the things you say simply to avoid criticism. Criticism is
inevitable. And it may just be an indication that you have taken a risk and chosen to tackle something
which is a challenge to you.

Complaints may come your way in waves sometimes. If it happened to Jesus it can happen to you.
Mark 3:1-3 Another time He went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some
of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched Him closely to see if He would heal
him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, Stand up in front of everyone.
The Circumstance WITH JESUS:
*Jesus performed a healing miracle on the Sabbath and proclaims Himself God: The Sabbath was made
for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath
--Synagogues arose in the days of Assyrian captivity. They became the place for instruction and religious
observance wherever Hebrew communities were located.
--Sabbath Day rules by the Pharisees prohibited a tailor from traveling outside his home carrying his
needle; unlawful to walk further than 2/3rds of a mile on the Sabbath; walking with a cane for a distance
on the Sabbath was considered work because it tilled the ground; picking grain on the
Sabbath and rubbing it in ones hand was banned because it was deemed harvesting.
The Criticism OF JESUS:
*Some of the Pharisees were against Jesus and were looking for a reason to accuse Him, so they watched
Him closely to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath. There were other times people criticized Him.
--John the Baptist disciples criticized Jesus apostles for not fasting (Mark 2:18-22).
--Jewish religious leaders complained Jesus disciples were working on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-24).
--Jewish religious leaders conspired to kill Jesus (Mark 3:6).
--Jewish religious leaders charged Jesus with performing miracles by satans power (Mark 3:22).
The Comeback BY JESUS:
*Jesus heals a shriveled hand in a synagogue on the Sabbath and confounds His critics with Gods wisdom:
--Mark 3:4-5 Then Jesus asked them: Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save
life or to kill? But they remained silentHe said to the man, Stretch out your hand. He stretched it
out, and his hand was completely restored.
When youre feeling criticized for doing goodhow should you react? Be like Jesusserve God anyway.
Quote from Leo Buscaglia: The most difficult thing to be in the world is what other people want you to be.
If you worry about what people think of you, its because you have more confidence in their opinion than
you have in your own (or, I might add, Gods Word).
1 Corinthians 4:3-4, 12-13a (The Apostle Paul) I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human
court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It
is the Lord who judges meWe work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we
are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly
Illustration: (Preacher C.H. Spurgeons blessing of a bitter old woman)

Preacher C.H. Spurgeon Blessing Of A Bitter Old Woman

Many years ago the late preacher C.H. Spurgeon was passing by the house of a bitter
woman. She greeted him with a volley of insults and curses. Smiling, the pastor said,
Yes, thank you. I am quite well. Undaunted, the lady burst into another string of
curse words and insults. Spurgeon replied: Yes, it does look as if its going to rain.
Surprised as well as exasperated, the woman exclaimed, Bless the man, hes as deaf as a
post! Whats the use of talking to him?
Application: (Success Magazine: 4 Steps To Handling Criticism by John Maxwell)

4 Ways To Handle Criticism

By John Maxwell
(www.successmagazine.com/4-steps-to-handling-criticism/PARAMS/article/796)

#4 Forget Yourself: One of my favorite Chinese proverbs says, Blessed are

those who can laugh at themselves. They shall never cease to be entertained. For years, I
have laughed at myself because Ive done some very foolish things. I even learned to
laugh about a heart attack I had 10 years ago.
During my recovery time, I decided I would spend a day reflecting on what wouldve
happened if I had died. What would my funeral service be like? How many people would
show up? As everyone knows, the size of the crowd the day they bury you will be
dependent on the weather. Next, what do they do after they put you in the ground? Yes,
30 minutes after you are buried, the biggest question on the minds of some is how to get
to the community center the fastest to make sure they get some potato salad.
When it comes to criticism, its important to first understand that half of the stuff people
say about you is true. So just take inventory, suck it up and change. And the other half
they say about you is notthey are just revealing issues in their own lives. If you know
yourself, you will know what you are good at and what you are not. Start changing the
things that are real and forget yourself so that you can focus on others because criticism
will never stop.

CONCLUSION: Aristotle said, Criticism is something you can avoid easilyby saying nothing, doing
nothing, and being nothing. Do not think blame will eventually stop coming your way. Its how we react
to Gods grace that will eventually change our attitude and approach to undue criticism.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great
revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I
pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My
power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so
that Christs power may rest on me. That is why, for Christs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in
hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Illustration: (Handling Criticism from www.runningempty.org/criticism.html)

Handling Criticism
(www.runningempty.org/criticism.html)

Everyone's a critic: our spouse, our boss and co-workers, our friends and acquaintances, our
parents, and even our children, all find fault with us at times. The criticism is sometimes a
comment, and sometimes only a look, a sigh, or even silence. But we have no doubt that we've
been found lacking once again.
We can respond with defense or offense. We can pretend indifference.
We can conjure up justifications for ourselves, explaining why we had to do what we did, or why
it was reasonable to say what we did. We can collect our outrage and self-righteousness and
condemn the critic - in our hearts or out loud.
We can even accumulate accomplishments to use as armor against our critics.
We can charm, or we can intimidate. The message is the same: don't judge me. Love me or fear
me, but don't judge me. None of it seems to help much. Why can't we just ignore the criticism?
Because deep inside we know we're not as good as we should be.
Relationships get us in the most trouble. We often seem to get them wrong: we do the wrong
thing, say the wrong thing, and fail to notice the things that we're supposed to notice. We're never
going to get it completely right with anyone. And they're never going to get it completely right
with us.
We all know that, but we still don't want to be told that we're less than perfect -- not when it
comes to anything that matters to us. We have unrealistic expectations of ourselves -- and of
others.
We think of human beings as being at the top of the heap, as the best there is. That's a tall order.
When we remember that only God is perfect, and that he, in all of his knowledge and wisdom,
loves each one of us just as we are, the criticism is a little easier to take. It isn't that we don't care
about what others think. We just care more about what God thinks.
And God doesn't love us less when (others criticize us). If God can love us - and He does - then
we can live with critics, and maybe even be less critical ourselves.

CLOSE: Jesus understands when youre feeling criticizedso like Himserve God anyway.