Have you ever been rejected by another person or a group? As a child, did you ever feel alone on the playground? Life can be very cruel and we long to fit in and be accepted. No one likes to be rejected and even Jesus experienced rejection. It is hard to believe that the only sinless person was rejected.
The Jews Rejected Jesus
John 1:10 speaks about Jesus being rejected. Jesus came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people (the Jews), and even they rejected him. [1]John, the beloved disciple, doesn’t comment on why His own people would reject Jesus. The Jews had and knew the Scriptures that pointed to the Messiah, but still they rejected Jesus. It seems that people then, as now, preferred the darkness to the light.
People still Reject Jesus
I just listened to a man’s testimony of how he had rejected Jesus and how that impacted what he did and the words that came out of his mouth. In a time of great desperation, he cried out to Jesus to have mercy and to rescue him from the spiritual darkness he was in. God, in His grace and mercy, answered his cries. What does this story tell us about God? Even when we have walked away from God, He is still working on our hearts. Sometimes we need to hit rock bottom in life before we come to our senses and look up to God.
Jesus does not force Himself upon us by twisting our arm until we place our faith in Him. God does not work that way. The Lord is the Good Shepherd who is always working in our life, and always calling us to come back to Himself. If we come to faith in Jesus, the Lord gets all the credit for His work and His calling. The Apostle Paul experienced this firsthand. He had rejected Jesus until Jesus revealed Himself on the road to Damascus.
Is Jesus Calling You?
Paul tells about God’s patience as He draws us to Himself. Romans 2:4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? [2] Is Jesus calling you today? Do you need to answer His call for faith and trust? Perhaps He is calling you into a deeper relationship with Him. The question is: Will I reject Him or embrace His call? Take time to reflect on your call from Jesus. If you quiet yourself before the Lord, He will speak to you. “Speak, your servant is listening.” [3] 1 Samuel 3:10.
To hear more of the beloved disciple’s encounter with Jesus, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-the-beloved-disciple
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.