Feeling Rejected

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Feeling Rejected

In Luke chapter 10,  Jesus sent out seventy disciples  ahead of Him  to preach  to every place  where He would soon be going to preach.     It was their job  to prepare the hearts  of the people  to listen  to the gospel  Jesus preached.

We all need  to prepare our hearts  —  every days  of our lives  —  to listen deep down  to what Jesus is teaching us  in His word.     Our eternal lives  depend on it.     Since God made us,  He knows exactly  what our hearts  are like.     He knows we’re “busy”  and need  to set time aside  for listening  in all seriousness.     God also knows  that our sinful nature  often does not want  to listen  unless there’s something  that draws its attention.

As the seventy disciples  were sent out,  Jesus instructed them  as to how their behavior  and preaching  should be.     They were carrying  God’s word  to the people  —  not their own opinions.     They were not out  to earn anything  — just to share  what Jesus had taught them  about salvation  for all.

They were not  to push their message  on anyone.     If the people did not want  to listen  to their preaching,  the results would be  between that town  and God  on their judgment day.

So,  Jesus concluded  His instructions  in Luke 10:16,

The one who listens  to you  listens to Me,  and the one  who rejects you  rejects Me;  and he who rejects Me  rejects the One  who sent Me.

Those instructions hold true  for every Christian today,  who shares  only the word  of God  with those who need  to be strengthened  in the truths  about our salvation  that are only  in Christ Jesus.

As Christians try  to share God’s words  of salvation  and judgment,  they will surely find times  when they are totally rejected.     That really hurts.     The gospel message  is shared  in a real love  and a deep concern  for the eternal salvation  of everyone  being spoken to.     But,  it’s love rejected.

The Christian might be tempted  to feel dejected  —  thinking only  that the listener  is rejecting them  as a person.     That’s probably true  to a point.     But,  surprisingly,  Jesus shows  that the rejection  is much deeper  than that.     It is a rejection  of Jesus  as our Savior  and, ultimately,  a rejection  of God the Father  —  our Creator.

Of course,  the Christian  will always feel sad  over those who prefer  their own “ways”  over God’s ways.     Yes,  it will constantly  be a weight  on their hearts  that some are rejecting  the love  of their Savior  —  preferring to create  their own ideas  of what God  “should” be like  and how God “should”  accept their rejection  of Him  without giving any consequences  —  as if mere humans  are qualified  to tell God anything.

Jesus told the seventy disciples  to just leave them alone  —  with the warning  of an eternal judgment  coming their way,  if they don’t change.

Jesus also gave  some wonderfully promising words  for absolutely every one  who turns  to Him  as they recognize  the eternal free gift we have  in our Savior.     He says in John 6:37,

All that the Father gives Me  shall come  to Me;  and the one  who comes  to Me  I will certainly not  cast out.

There is always an open invitation  and wide open arms extended  to all  —  if perhaps  they would change their ways  and accept the love  of their heavenly Father.     It’s just  as the story  of the prodigal son.     His father rejoiced  so much  at his return,  he just had to give  a great big party.     God’s love  is that great  and that faithful.

So, God  —  and all God’s children  —  and even the angels  in heaven  —  will rejoice  over every one  who returns  to their Creator  and Savior.

If therefore  the Son  shall make you free,  you shall be free  indeed.       John 8:36

And when we are free,  we will humbly say,  “Hallelujah!     God’s love  is faithful,  even to me.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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