Galatians 5:22 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
We have considered the portrait of Christ’s love, joy, and peace. We have enjoyed and have been sustained by the love, joy and peace that He gives. We are going to consider the portrait of Christ’s patience or longsuffering.
Pay attention to His patience or longsuffering.
In the Greek makrothumia (mak-roth-oo-mee-ah) (μακροθυμία), “patience, longsuffering, forbearance” (makros, “long,” thumos, “temper”). This word portrays the Lord’s patience, endurance, faithfulness, steadfastness, and perseverance. God’s patience is revealed in His slowness to avenge wrongs. He has not deviated, changed or swerved from His deliberate purpose.
2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The Lord Jesus exercised patience several times in the Gospels.
His patience was demonstrated to everyone in kindness, mercy and grace. Most of us can testify of God’s patience with us. We have sinned and fall short of His glory, but He has been patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish. The Lord has been patient because He wants to save our souls.
Romans 2:4 NASB95 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
In order to understand the patience of Jesus Christ, we must recognize the Lord’s divine nature.
Although He humbled Himself and became a man, Jesus possessed all of the power, wisdom, strength, and knowledge of His divine nature. He knew the heart and mind of those to whom He showed kindness. There are several illustrations of His divine nature.
Many of His miracles immediately depict something supernatural about His being, work, and power.
When Jesus was in the stern of the boat asleep, the disciples became terrified by the wind and the waves.
They found Jesus asleep in the back of the boat. Jesus arose and said “Peace, be still,” and the wind and waves obeyed His voice. When the disciples saw what He did, they became much afraid.
Mark 4:41 NASB95 They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
The Gospel reports Jesus’ power over demonic forces.
Immediately after crossing the sea, Jesus came upon two demon-possessed men, as they came out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass that way.
Matthew 8:32-34 NASB95 He said to them, “Go!” And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters. The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region.
On the Mount of Transfiguration, three disciples recognized the deity of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 17:5 NIV While He was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
At that time Jesus was transfigured before them and His clothing and body became radiant.
Matthew 17:7-8 NIV When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
In the Garden, the men who came to arrest Jesus found more than they could handle.
John 18:3-6 NKJV Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Much more could be said about the deity of Jesus Christ.
He had supernatural knowledge of events and people. He performed all manner of miracles and cast out many demons and evil spirits. He had power over death and on three occasions He raised people from the dead: the widow’ son (Luke 7:11-17), the ruler’s daughter, (Matthew 9:23-25), and His friend Lazarus, (John 11:38-41). No manner of sickness or disease was beyond His ability to address and heal. Although His followers enjoyed the blessings of His presence, His words, power, and miracles were often more than they could understand or receive.
Consider the portrait of the Lord’s patience.
Several references describe the rejection, abuse and ridicule that the Lord Jesus Christ endured.
The Pharisees said He cast out demons by Beelzebub the prince of demons, Matthew 12:24. The teachers of the law from Jerusalem went a step further and said Jesus was possessed by Beelzebub. They attributed His work to Beelzebub, Mark 3:22. Beelzebub, the god of flies, is the name of the chief of the devils. They were saying Jesus was in league with Satan and that His miracles were done by the power of the devil.
He was the Lord of glory and throughout eternity He dwelt in the Holy presence of the Father.
Those He came to save, heal, and deliver accused Him of being the prince of demons. This is a demonstration of the Lord’s patience.
A second portrait of Jesus Christ’s patience is seen in the manner in which He endured ill treatment and suffering.
Jesus told His disciples the world hated Him. He endured patiently the defamation of His character. The people within His home town and some within His family did not believe in Him. They felt He was a fraud and that He was nothing but a carpenter’s son. Take a closer look at the bitter cup of His suffering. Before we look at this, listen to what Jesus said.
John 10:17-18 NKJV Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
The actions that were taken against the Lord were allowed by His tolerance, forbearance, and patience.
Watch the Lord as He meekly stands in Pilate’s Judgment hall.
Matthew 27:11-13 NKJV Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”
Then the chief priest and elders accused Him. As a sheep before it’s shearers is silent, Jesus said nothing. Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Even though the governor could find nothing to condemn Him, they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” After releasing Barabbas, Jesus was delivered to be crucified. Soldiers took Him into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him, stripped Him, and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand, they mocked Him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, took the reed and struck Him on the head, took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. After He was on the cross they divided His garments and cast lots for them. Again they mocked Him with the accusation, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Those crucified with Him blasphemed Him, and said: “If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” The chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him and said “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.”
Matthew 27:45–46 NKJV Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Matthew 27:50 NKJV And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
Consider the portrait of Christ’s forbearance and patience.
He patiently endured the cross, its shame and opposition from sinful men. This is the King of Glory, being ridiculed, spat upon and slapped. He is mocked at, scorned, stripped, and beaten. He could have resisted and stopped them.
Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV84 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Why should we consider the portrait of Christ’s patience?
Hebrews 12:1 NKJV Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Consider Him when you face fiery trials and tests. When you are facing situations that make you weary and discouraged, consider Jesus. The Lord knows the end of all things. He patiently endured everything He faced so that you could have hope and not faint. This is the reason we do not lose heart and grow weary. Encourage yourself in the Lord. He will help you!