Nothing seems to be a harder blow than to feel rejected. There’s something in all of us that wants to feel acceptance and to feel recognized. When a friend, associate, or people you think would show you some consideration don’t – it really makes you feel rejected.
Sometimes the feeling of rejection seems to mount. People you would think would remember your birthday don’t; the job you applied for that looked promising and seemed to be a perfect fit for you only turned out to be another rejection; then as you looked for someone with whom you could share your feelings of rejection there seemed to be nobody interested.
We’ve all been there, maybe not in the exact scenario but similar circumstances where we feel like giving up as a result of feeling rejected. There was a man in Jesus’ day who was rejected and his rejection resulted because of the good thing that happened to him – his blind eyes were made to see.
John 9:1-7 (ESV) 1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
You would think this would be the greatest day of his life – born blind and now having full sight, but it was the beginning of trouble. The religious leaders threatened everyone. His own family had the opportunity to stick up for him, but they backed down because they were too scared of the religious leaders who eventually threw him out of the local synagogue. Rejected and cast off, the man who was born blind, now able to see, was left alone until Jesus arrived.
John 9:35 (ESV) Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
Jesus, the one who would be despised and rejected seems to look for those who are feeling the same.
Isaiah 53:3-5 (ESV) 3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
Years before the experience of the man born blind, David made an important declaration in the book of Psalms that is applicable to all who feel rejected:
Psalms 27:10 (ESV) For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
Jesus left his disciples with this promise that is applicable to us today and everyday whenever we feel abandoned and rejected:
John 14:18 (ESV) I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
His arms are opened to us and His heart is touched with empathy for our feeling of rejection, so run to Him and find help and comfort to pick up the pieces and stay in the race of life. And notice the further promise to all who look to Him:
Hebrews 13:5–6 (ESV) — 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Those words, “never leave you nor forsake you” are His promise to never let you feel rejected. Never, never, never! And remember His promises are “yes and Amen” because it is impossible for God to lie.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV) — 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.
That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
Hebrews 6:17–19 (ESV) — 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
Check out the PowerBreak Podcast wherever you download podcast or from www.bobbrubaker.com
