Jesus' Responses to Feeling Used or Exploited by Others
Jesus' responses to being used or exploited by others demonstrate a range of reactions, from direct confrontation to patient endurance and even prayer for forgiveness. His interactions often reveal his divine authority and his commitment to fulfilling his mission, even in the face of mistreatment.
One notable instance of Jesus' response to being exploited is when he was mocked and scorned during his crucifixion. Passersby, religious leaders, and revolutionaries all ridiculed him, wagging their heads in contempt and blaspheming him [10]. Despite this abuse, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" [12]. This prayer, offered while he was in great pain and being insulted, highlights his profound humility and mercy [12]. The Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that Christ endured scorn and mocking, fulfilling prophecies from the Psalms and Isaiah [5].
When Jesus was touched by a woman with an issue of blood, he perceived that "power had gone out from me" [1]. This suggests an awareness of his divine energy being drawn upon, even without his explicit consent. His subsequent interaction with the woman, where he affirmed her faith, indicates that he did not view this as exploitation but as an opportunity for healing and spiritual affirmation.
In other situations, Jesus directly challenged those who sought to exploit him or his authority. When questioned by Pilate, Jesus stated, "You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above" [2]. This assertion underscores his ultimate authority, even in his apparent vulnerability. Similarly, when John the Baptist hesitated to baptize him, Jesus insisted, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" [3]. This demonstrates his commitment to divine purpose, even when it meant submitting to a ritual that might seem to diminish his status.
Jesus also expressed frustration with the spiritual dullness of his generation. When confronted with a demon-possessed boy, he exclaimed, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?" [4]. This outburst reveals a weariness with the spiritual resistance he encountered, yet he still proceeded to heal the boy.
The Torrey's Topical Textbook also points out that Jesus' life was an example of self-denial and humility, condemning selfishness [7, 8, 9]. He voluntarily submitted to persecution and was patient under it, even though he suffered greatly [6]. John Calvin notes that Jesus' example, like Joseph's, teaches that even when others intend evil, God can use it for good [13]. Matthew Henry observes that Jesus took tender care of those who were cast out for defending him, showing that he stands by his witnesses [11].
Sources
- Luke “Luke 8:46 (BBE) — But Jesus said, Someone was touching me, for I had the feeling that power had gone out from me.”
- John “Respondit Jesus : Non haberes potestatem adversum me ullam, nisi tibi datum esset desuper. Propterea qui me tradidit tibi, majus peccatum habet. -- John 19:11”
- Matthew “Matthew 3:15 (Geneva1599) — Then Iesus answering, saide to him, Let be nowe: for thus it becommeth vs to fulfill all righteousnes. So he suffered him.”
- Matthew “Matthew 17:17 (Tyndale) — Iesus answered and sayde: O generacion faythles and croked: how longe shall I be with you? how longe shall I suffre you? bring him hidder to me.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scorning and Mocking — The sufferings of Christ by, predicted -- Ps 22:6-8; Isa 53:3; Lu 18:32. Christ endured -- Mt 9:24; 27:29. Saints endure, on account of Being children of God. -- Ge 21:9; Ga 4:29. Their uprightness. -- Job 12:4. Their faith. -- Heb 11:36. Their faithfulness in declaring the word of God. -- Jer 20:7,8. Their zeal for God's house. -- Ne 2:19. The wicked indulge in, against The second coming of Christ. -- 2Pe 3:3,4. The gifts of the Spirit. -- Ac 2:13. God's threatening. -- Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15. God's ministers. -- 2Ch 36:16. God's ordinances. -- L”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Selfishness — Contrary to the law of God -- Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Jas 2:8. The example of Christ condemns -- Joh 4:34; Ro 15:3; 2Co 8:9. God hates -- Mal 1:10. Exhibited in Being lovers of ourselves. -- 2Ti 3:2. Pleasing ourselves. -- Ro 15:1. Seeking our own. -- 1Co 10:33; Php 2:21. Seeking after gain. -- Isa 56:11. Seeking undue precedence. -- Mt 20:21. Living to ourselves. -- 2Co 5:15. Neglect of the poor. -- 1Jo 3:17. Serving God for reward. -- Mal 1:10. Performing duty for reward. -- Mic 3:11. Inconsistent with Christian love -- 1Co 13:5. Inconsistent with communi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 15:29: 15:29-32 Jesus was being mocked and abused by the people passing by, the religious leaders, and the revolutionaries. • The people passing by shouted abuse (literally blasphemed), wagged their heads in contempt (see Lam 2:15), and ridiculed his claim that he would destroy the Temple (see Mark 14:58).”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 9:35: In these verses we may observe, I. The tender care which our Lord Jesus took of this poor man (Joh 9:35): When Jesus heard that they had cast him out (for it is likely the town rang of it, and everybody cried out shame upon them for it), then he found him, which implies his seeking him and looking after him, that he might encourage and comfort him, 1. Because he had, to the best of his knowledge, spoken so very well, so bravely, so boldly, in defence of the Lord Jesus. Note, Jesus Christ will be sure to stand by his witnesses, and own those that own him and his trut”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 23:32: Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them,.... When he was crucified between the two thieves, and as he hung upon the cross, and while insulted and abused by all sorts of men, and put to the greatest pain and torture, he addressed himself to God his Father: the Arabic version reads, "my Father", who was so to him, not as he was man; for as such he had no father; but as he was God, being as a divine person, his beloved, and only begotten Son: and this he uses, whilst, as man, he is praying to him; partly to express his faith of relation to him; his confidence of being heard”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 33: to mildness and mercy, that he even voluntarily comforts his brethren, telling them, “Be not grieved nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life.” “As for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good,” ( Gen. 45:5 ; 50:20). Had Job turned to the Chaldees, by whom he was plundered, he should instantly have been fired with revenge, but recognising the work of the Lord, he solaces himself with this most beautiful sentiment: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away”