Several years ago I recall telling a family member about my (now trademarked) “Demonkill” idea. At the time it was going to be a comic book, and I just knew it was gonna blow up. The name would be whispered in reverence by fanboys and girls all over the world. I created t-shirt and ballcap ideas. I sat around and scribbled awesome “DK” logos. I even made up a couple home-made t-shirts to “get the ball rolling.” It was gonna be huge.
“Of course, I’m gonna share the wealth if we make any money,” I said to this family member, in full-on naiveté. “I wanna take care of my family.”
“Well THAT’S good!” the person said, and chuckled.
I caught the sarcasm, and knew they didn’t believe a word of it. I felt their mockery, and fully understood they thought me a simple-minded fool.
The comic book floundered. The band I joined broke up, and the heavy metal demo EP I was part of in the 90s tanked. It’s only now, two-and-a-half decades later, I’ve finally found my calling. I’m writing volume one what I believe will be a series of books.
I’m aware, however, some still think me a fool, and that’s ok. I know they’re thinking, “You’ve been talking about Demonkill for 25 years. Give it up, man! Nothing’s ever happened and nothing ever will.”
I’ve trained myself to ignore their sarcasm. I’ve learned to keep my visions to myself (well, except when I write about them in my blog, or occasionally am led by the Holy Spirit to share them with people in person). I’ve also learned, through a little research and wisdom developed over many years, that, if Jesus Himself was mocked, why should I expect any different?
So, this blog is for those who have been ridiculed, mocked, scorned, teased and taunted.
If God has placed a calling on your life, and it seems outlandishly crazy, I’d like to encourage you to keep going. Don’t worry what people say about you or your ideas. Their words are merely dust in the wind, to borrow an analogy from the rock group Kansas.
This is also for those whose personality, physical characteristics or disabilities have been (or “are being”) ridiculed. I grew up being called every “fat” name in the book, so I understand what it’s like when you’re the source of ridicule. It HURTS.
I’d like to encourage you to do two things:
- Ignore the mockers’ foolishness. The sarcastic voices of fools will one day be silenced.
- Surround yourself with others who WILL believe in you and your dream(s). Yes, Jesus was taunted everywhere He went, but He was constantly surrounded by His disciples, who fully believed in Him. Many in the land considered Him a “fool” and a “dangerous rebel,” but his friends, brothers and followers, lifted Him up. They never stopped believing in Him.
To that end, I’d like to present the following verses, as a reminder of a few times Jesus was mocked as He carried out His ministry:
“After this, Jesus went to Galilee, going from village to village, for he wanted to stay out of Judea where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. It was almost time for the Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers urged him to go to Judea for the celebration.
“‘Go where more people can see your miracles!’ they scoffed. ‘You can’t be famous when you hide like this! If you’re so great, prove it to the world!’ For even his brothers didn’t believe in him (John 7:1-5).”
“The leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, came and fell down before him, pleading with him to heal his little daughter. ‘She is at the point of death,’ he said in desperation. ‘Please come and place your hands on her and make her live.’
“(Later,) messengers arrived from Jairus’s home with the news that it was too late—his daughter was dead and there was no point in Jesus’ coming now. But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.’ Then Jesus halted the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go on with him to Jairus’s home except Peter and James and John. When they arrived, Jesus saw that all was in great confusion, with unrestrained weeping and wailing. He went inside and spoke to the people.
“‘Why all this weeping and commotion?’ he asked. ‘The child isn’t dead; she is only asleep!’
“They laughed at him in bitter derision, but he told them all to leave, and taking the little girl’s father and mother and his three disciples, he went into the room where she was lying. Taking her by the hand he said to her, ‘Get up, little girl!’ (She was twelve years old.) And she jumped up and walked around! Her parents just couldn’t get over it (Mark 5:22, 35b-42).”
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him (Luke 16:14).”
“And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:11).”
“Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking Him and beating Him…(Luke 22:63).”
“Now the guards in charge of Jesus began mocking him. They blindfolded him and hit him with their fists and asked, ‘Who hit you that time, prophet?’ (Luke 22:63-64)”
“After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him (Mark 15:20).”
“The people jeered at him as they walked by, and wagged their heads in mockery. ‘Ha! Look at you now!’ they yelled at him. ‘Sure, you can destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days! If you’re so wonderful, save yourself and come down from the cross.’
“The chief priests and religious leaders were also standing around joking about Jesus. ‘He’s quite clever at “saving” others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself!’
“‘Hey there, Messiah!’ they yelled at him. ‘You “King of Israel!” Come on down from the cross and we’ll believe you!’ And even the two robbers dying with him cursed him (Mark 15:29-32).”
“The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine…(Luke 23:36).”
So if you’ve been mocked, teased or taunted, at least you’re in good company. You must train yourself to ignore foolish voices. Seek those who will encourage you, my friend.
This being said, God has the last laugh:
“Why do the heathen rage, and the people devise a vain thing? Their kings and leaders join together to fight against the Lord and his chosen king. They say, ‘Let’s rebel against them. Let’s break free from them!’ But the one who rules in heaven laughs at them. The Lord makes fun of them. He speaks to them in anger, and it fills them with fear (Psalms 2:1-5).”
Never give up, never give in, never surrender!
Blessings.
Broken People 