Unwanted but Not Unworthy

Today’s Verse:

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. ~John 1:10

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One of the worst feelings in the world is the feeling of rejection: of being unwanted, spurned, thrown out, and unloved. It can happen from abandonment, hatred, or spite. What do you do if you are rejected? Our devotion this morning is about rejection and God’s encouragement for us.

We see the Example.

No one ever was more rejected than our Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:3 tells us, “He is despised and rejected of men… he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Jesus was despised as Creator: the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. Jesus was despised as Christ: He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. Jesus was despised at His crucifixion: He was reviled and blasphemed, and He endured such contradiction of sinners. Our Lord endured rejection in a manner that no other man could.

We see the extreme.

The rejection of our Lord ultimately led to His death on the cross. He was an innocent Man accused of crimes that He did not commit. The Jewish high priest and religious leaders so despised everything about Jesus that they arranged an illegal trial with false witnesses. They led the mob to call for His crucifixion and the release of a condemned prisoner in His place. Isaiah said, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." Jesus accepted the cruel and atrocious punishment so that He could suffer and die for our sin. He endured the extreme of what we should go through so that our sins could be paid in full. That is extreme, and even beyond extreme.

We see the election.

“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.” Despite being rejected, there is an opportunity for every man to receive Jesus as Saviour. By receiving Jesus by faith as our personal Saviour, our Lord transforms us into sons of God by His power. Instead of rejection, there is the opportunity to receive Him. There are those who willingly receive Jesus as Saviour and are blessed with the gift of eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and sonship. Salvation through Christ is freely available to all who receive Him.

We see the elixir.

How do you go on living after suffering rejection? First, come to the Lord for the spiritual healing of your broken heart. Cast this care upon Him because He cares for you. Second, God has given us power, love, and a sound mind. His power can help you overcome the insecurities of rejection. His power enables you to face your persecutors. I think of how Paul got up after being stoned and went right back into the city to face those who had just stoned him. Only the power of God can enable someone to do that. His love enables you to love those who have made themselves your enemy. His love casts out all fear. A sound mind is the ability to discipline your thoughts and emotions from dwelling in the past and the hurt, and from always wondering, “What if?” Rejection is bad, but God can make us better. Look to Jesus if you are someone who is suffering through rejection. "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

Have a love-filled God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 25-26

#John #Rejection