At one time or another, we have all been rejected. It’s a lonely feeling–but we’re not alone.
“Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him… For even His brothers did not believe in Him” (John 6:64, 7:5).
We tend to think Jesus didn’t feel rejection because He was God’s Son, but the Bible says He sympathizes with our weaknesses because He felt our humanness. So He must have felt the pain of rejection too.
In one instance, when many of His followers chose to leave, He turned to the twelve disciples and asked, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:67-68).
Good answer.
We know the disciples didn’t leave Him. But we mustn’t forget that Judas was one of the twelve who stayed. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him but He never told the others. And it appears Jesus treated him with the same love and faith–despite what He knew.
This is a lesson for all of us. Rejection is bound to happen. Someone, at some point, is not going to receive you. So the question is, will you reject them too? Or will you, like Jesus, continue to believe the best of them?
It’s important for the Body of Christ to give the Spirit of Christ more power than a spirit of offense and rejection. We sing songs declaring “God is greater” and “God is stronger,” but do we allow Him to be when we’ve been wounded or rejected?
Remember, “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). So no matter what’s been done to you, never forget that what was done to Jesus was greater. He was rejected first… yet He overcame.
And so can you.
