He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Isaiah 53:3
When it comes to the spiritual race that God has set before us, one thing that might hold people back from running after Christ and His kingdom with everything in them with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength is fear of rejection. Built within our human nature is a fear of being rejected by others. When we are judged, made fun of, or mistreated in any way, that rejection stings. For many, the fear of being rejected keeps us from speaking our minds and being genuine. Unfortunately, this is true when it comes to living out our faith. Many of us fear the rejection of others so profoundly that we do not share our faith, speak out boldly against sin, or take the steps of faith that God has called us to take. If we want to run the spiritual race that God has set before us well, we must understand that following Christ will mean rejection by some. The reward for following Him is, however, far greater than any sting of rejection we might feel on this earth.
Centuries before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would face the sting of rejection in Isaiah 53. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with the deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (verse 3). Isaiah's prophecy about Jesus made it clear that Jesus, the coming Messiah, would not be accepted by many. Indeed, many people, especially the religious leaders, would reject Him. Even still, He came.
Jesus experienced rejection in His hometown of Nazareth. Matthew 13 tells us that Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth and taught. In response to His teaching, “everyone was amazed and said, ‘Where does He get this wisdom and power to do miracles” (verse 53). Suddenly, however, the tone shifted. The people of Nazareth "scoffed" and said, "He's just a carpenter's son… where did He learn all these things?" (verses 55-56). These people "were deeply offended and refused to believe Him" (verse 56). The people who saw Jesus grow up rejected Him as the Savior.
No doubt the greatest sting of rejection came after Jesus spent three years of ministry on earth teaching, healing, and serving the people He encountered. In Luke 23, Jesus was arrested by religious leaders and brought on trial before a crowd, no doubt consisting of many of the people Jesus had loved and served. When Pilot, the Roman governor, asked the crowd what to do with Jesus, the crowd shouted, "Crucify Him!" (verse 21). There is no more significant form of rejection than this.
Jesus persevered in His mission to rescue humanity from sin and death, even when others rejected him in the most severe way. He was more concerned about fulfilling His mission than receiving rejection. Because of that, He persevered amidst the cruelest rejection one can face, never wavering. There is no better example than this!
Has rejection kept you from persevering in the race that God has called you to run? I urge you, friend, to keep running! Keep following and pursuing Christ, even when you encounter rejection. He endured rejection in its cruelest form. If our Savior could face rejection in order to rescue us from sin and death, then we, too, can endure amidst rejection. Look to Him and His example today.
Is there a step in your faith you know God has been calling you to take, like sharing your faith with someone who does not know Christ, calling out sin for what it is, sin, or speaking a hard truth that you know is unpopular? Commit to honoring God and taking that step of faith, even if it means risking rejection. You will never regret choosing to follow and obey Him, even when you face rejection because of your faith.
Isaiah 53:1-12
1Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? 2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. 3 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.
10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.
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