Rejected is a word that reminds us of an incident or time when we were not accepted, believed, or made to feel a part of something. We have been excluded instead of included. Feeling rejected can lead to a barrage of emotions such as sadness, anger, a feeling of inadequacy, loneliness, or even confusion because you don’t understand. Sometimes you may never understand the actions of others toward you. However, there is one who does understand how you feel. This one is Jesus. He also felt the pains of rejection as He walked among His own people while here on earth.
In John 1:10, John reminds us that Jesus was the world’s creator, yet the owner-creator was not recognized or accepted by those who enjoyed the world He made. When Jesus made the world, it was done with us in mind. It was made perfect for us to enjoy and to connect us with the creator. God the Father enjoyed His creation in the beginning. Before Adam and Eve sinned, He walked in the garden with them daily, in the cool of the day. Their choice to sin was a rejection of God’s design for their life.
John 1:10 “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.”
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.”
In John 1:11, John tells us that His own people rejected Him. Jesus knew they would, but He came anyway. In Isaiah 53:3-4, a divine prophecy of His rejection was recorded. Have you ever felt rejected because you didn’t fit the mold of what others expected? That was the reason the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah. He didn’t fit their mold of a Redeemer. They wanted an earthly king to establish a kingdom here, save them from their enemies, free them from the bondage other countries had placed on them, and exalt them as a chosen people. While Jesus did come to free His people from the bondage of sin, He also came for all men so that they might be saved through Him.
John 1:11 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
Isaiah 53:3-4 “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely, he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.”
John 1:12-14 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Jesus was not only rejected by the Jews, but He was also rejected by His own family. In John 7:5, we find His brothers did not believe Him. It is challenging to deal with rejection by those who are your acquaintances, those you go to church with or work with, but to be rejected by those who are family, those you live with, this would be an emotional pain almost unbearable. As a Christian, I have never thought much about the rejection of Jesus’ own family.
John 7:5 “For neither did his brethren believe in him.”
Jesus was and is familiar with rejection. Not only was he rejected by His people, His family, and His friends, but at the cross, he was rejected by those all around, looking on and jeering at Him as a spectacle. He was treated as a common criminal, yet they could find no fault in Him. While on the cross, His rejection was still answered with love as He spoke the words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
On the cross, Jesus suffered the worst rejection of all. His Father turned His back on Him because He was bearing our sins. He took upon Himself our transgressions to be made sin for us so we could be forgiven. To be forsaken by His Father, whom He had never been separated from for a moment, was the ultimate rejection.
Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
While we can read about the rejections Jesus suffered, and we know a few of those of our own, there is a rejection many will suffer but can avoid if they choose to. This rejection will be done by Jesus. Those who have never accepted Him as their Lord and Savior will be rejected for all eternity into the Lake of Fire. Because they have rejected Jesus, they now will be rejected. Some may feel they deserve Heaven because they have done good works, had a religious experience, attended church, or followed some rules. However, those are not the qualifications for God to accept them into Heaven. You must repent and receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior and follow Him with an obedient life.
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Rejection by those we love hurts us deeply and should not happen. Sometimes, there is nothing we can do to ensure that others will accept us and love us. But a relationship with Jesus is different. It is open to all who place their faith in Him. If they choose Him, they will be accepted for all eternity. Never again will they suffer the pains of rejection.
