Rejected

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. – John 1:11

Rejection hurts. When candidate Adlai Stevenson conceded the US presidential election in 1952, he said he felt like a grown man who had just stubbed his toe. He added, "It hurts too much to laugh, but I’m too old to cry."

Little children feel the pain of rejection when one of their peers is chosen instead of them to recite a poem or sing a song. As they grow older, some of them are not going to be chosen for the varsity team. Some of them are going to be turned down by a girl they want to date. Some may marry and have their mate leave them for another person. They may wonder why the Lord allows them to be rejected.

I have no easy answers for people who have been hurt like this. I can only suggest that they look to Jesus, remembering how He experienced rejection. He was scorned by His brothers and countrymen. He heard the crowd demand His crucifixion (Matthew 27:23). On the cross, as our sin-bearer, He felt such abandonment by His Father that He cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (v. 46).

When you feel the deep hurt of rejection, remember that Jesus understands how you feel. He loves you. If you have believed on Him, He has accepted you – and He will never reject those who trust in Him (John 6:37). – Herb Vander Lugt

I love to dwell upon the thought

That Jesus cares for me;

It matters not what life may bring –

He loves me tenderly. – Adams

READ: Matthew 27:15-26

Jesus cares – and that makes

all the difference.