Rejected

A prophecy concerning Jesus:

He was despised and rejected by mankind,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Isaiah 53:3a (NIV)

The trial of Jesus:

¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

²⁰ Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. ²¹ But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Luke  23:18-21 (NIV)

Rejection is always hard to accept, for we all have a fundamental need to belong and to be wanted. It is hard when your friends – even your family – turn their back on you; when your job applications are continuously rejected and when you are told by a charity that you are ‘not suitable’ to be a volunteer.

Jesus knows all about rejection. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor wanted to release Jesus (under the custom of releasing a prisoner at the annual Passover festival). But the crown rejected Jesus in favour of Barabbas who was being held in prison for insurrection and murder.

As Barabbas was freed, so Jesus was condemned to be crucified. It was no surprise to Jesus that people who once followed Him sided with the religious leaders in rejecting Him.

We know that Father God will never reject anyone who turns to Him, believing in Jesus. If you believe in Jesus you need never fear God’s rejection.

Prayer: Dear Father God, I know that you will never reject me. Thank you. Please help me to overcome the pain from my past rejection. And please help me to follow Jesus’ example in not retaliating against those who have hurt me. In Jesus name – AMEN.

Devotional by: John Phillips