Rejection

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. —Isaiah 53:3, KJV

People can be rejected because of their skin color, nationality, religion, economic status, age, or gender. Depending on one or more of these qualifiers, others may consider them to be inferior. Yet others may be despised for their “superiority”: possessing a university degree, being a gifted musician, or having extraordinary abilities not shared by the general populace. Sometimes women’s rejection of other women originates in feelings of envy or jealousy. Sadly, some cannot tolerate the success or superior abilities of others.

Of course, men can also reject women who are able to do what they cannot, even driving a car in certain countries. Whatever the so-called reasons may be, rejecting people is unfair. Rejection excludes, hurts, and isolates. And what is perhaps even a greater loss, rejection often makes impossible future interactions that could bring mutual benefits.

Yet God has spread gifts among people for a purpose: He wants them to achieve their highest potential and use it for His purposes of love. If and when we are rejected, let us take great comfort in knowing there is Someone who perfectly understands what rejection is. He understands everything about us. That Someone is Jesus.

He was not rejected for being a foreigner because He lived among His own people. He was not rejected for following a different religion because He attended the same Jewish synagogues as did His fellow believers. Rather, He was rejected because the very ones who should have recognized, according to ancient prophecies, that He was the heaven-sent Messiah, turned on Him. Filled with envy that Jesus was the object of so much love and popular attention, they allowed their jealousy to consume them. In the end, their plans, along with His love, took Him to the cross. And He died for the very ones who were mocking and torturing Him.

Whenever you feel rejected, remember that you always have the love, understanding, acceptance, and support of Jesus. He knows everything about you.

Wait prayerfully on Him as He transforms your pain from rejection into a blessing, not only for you but also for those around you. After all, He was rejected for you so that you can be accepted eternally by His Father.

Het Jane Silva Carvalho