What the Bible says about Opposition to Glorify God
(From Forerunner Commentary)
While the woman and common people respond to the miracle positively—she, with praise (she “glorified God”; Luke 13:13), and they, with pleasure (they “rejoiced”; verse 17)—the ruler responds with provocation (he speaks with “indignation”; verse 14). He appeals to the crowd to reject the miracle.
“Indignation” is a strong word, indicating the extreme quality of the ruler's wrath. His anger causes him to condemn Jesus of having committed a great sin in healing the poor woman. His attitude illustrates Jesus' criticism about religious leaders keeping others from entering the Kingdom (Luke 11:52).
Because evil hates good (Proverbs 29:27), it is not surprising that some become angry over good works. It is Satan's nature to oppose God, and the greater the work and the more it glorifies God, the greater his opposition. Some of the most severe persecutions of Christians have come from other “Christians” rising in indignation. Satan sends his minions to infiltrate and corrupt churches to try to destroy God's people from within (see II Corinthians 11:13-15). But Christ says, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
Martin G. Collins
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