Honor and Reproach Go Hand in Hand

The tremendous honor bestowed upon Mary must not be passed by without looking at the awful bruden coupled with the honor. It is always thus in the world. Honor and reproach go hand in hand. The virgin was told, "Yea a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also" (Luke 2:35).

She knew what others did not know. Even Joseph had to wait for an answer as to her virginity. The Jews accusingly said, "...We be not born of fornication..." (John 8:41); they were saying they were not illegitimate. Mary knew the reproach, but she also knew the honor that accompanied it.

Such is the dual experience of every Christian. We no sooner experience the blessing of salvation, made possible by the impeccable Savior, than we find ourselves going outside the camp bearing His reproach (Hebrews 13:13).

~ From The Impeccable Christ - W. E. Best