In the Face of Defeat

Defeat is a single, devasting event. We do not experience defeat—a loss or failure that is potentially injurious to our sense of self-worth—without strenuous effort to succeed. Defeat follows intentional activity to advance forward with some worthwhile goal, some accomplishment that attracts notice from others. Yet, it is most important that we accept that defeat is a single event, not one that defines our life. Defeat is inevitable for everyone who lives purposefully. To put it more simply, defeat is nothing more than a single event in the span of a lifetime. Lives lived richly, lived with a strong drive to achieve, and add value to the world we live in often experience multiple defeats. But each defeat is a singular event. And, as has often been said, each defeat moves one closer to success.

The life of Jesus stands as the supreme example of successful living. And yet, if one pays close attention to that life, it is astonishing to find how often Jesus experienced personal defeat. Jesus did not walk along easy paths that were free of difficulty or opposition. Again and again, Jesus absorbed into himself the anguish of retreat, saw his most noble efforts crash down into ruins and knocked on the door of opportunity only to have that door remained closed. If the life to which we look to for inspiration, encouragement, and hope had to contend with reversal after reversal, defeat after defeat, perhaps we have reason to conclude that such misfortune is woven into the very fabric of life. Defeat in the pursuit of noble ends is not unusual. Defeat—even if one follows another—is not evidence of a defeated life.

Here, in this teaching from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. I have sat through the teaching of many wise professors. The response of the students follows along a continuum of disinterest to applause. But not once have I observed anger as Jesus does here in Luke. Not just an expression of rage, Jesus’ students attempt to throw him off a cliff! My study Bible has placed this passage of scripture after the heading, The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth. Jesus, the most successful life in history, receives rejection, anger, and an attempt on his life. At the end of the day, I imagine that this experience would not be placed on a resume. How did our Lord cope with this failure? Luke tells us that he escaped, went on his way, and resumed teaching. Obviously, a step in the successful treatment of defeat is to simply accept it.

It is not freedom from defeat that characterizes us. Jesus experienced defeat again and again. But rather than be classified as a loser, Jesus accepted defeat and moved on with the single purpose of his life. Undoubtedly, each defeat brought with it a sting of disappointment and discomfort. And most people probably take immediate steps to ensure that defeat is never repeated—at least not in the same fashion. Like a child that experiences pain from some activity, we learn not to repeat the same activity. Unfortunately, defeat is unavoidable for anyone who strives forward. It was unavoidable for Jesus. But Jesus’ behavior amid defeat demonstrates that defeat is not all loss. If we have the same purpose of mind as Jesus, failure and defeat cannot break us. We need only to look at Jesus.

Joy,

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To read more meditations by Dr. Doug Hood and Nathanael Cameron Hood, you can purchase Nurture Faith: Five Minute Meditations to Strengthen Your Walk with Christ from your favorite book seller.

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