When Rejection Comes First
Jesus knew from the beginning that he would be rejected by those he came to save. Yet he never swerved from the path his Father had set before him.
That did not mean it was easy for him. Because he was a normal human being, rejection must have been as painful for him as it is for you and me.
His rejection by his own hometown and by his own family must have been particularly painful. He had lived a model life of holiness and service right in their midst, yet they would not believe. He did not fit their image of what the Messiah was to be, so they spurned him.
Those who rejected Jesus hungered for more signs and wonders rather than for a life of self-sacrificing love. They wanted a show, not humility; a carnal display, not holiness. They wanted him to outdo the Romans at the Roman game, but Jesus had come to play another game.
They wanted him to change their circumstances, not to change them. Jesus had come to change them so he could change the circumstances of other people. They had things backwards.
Does God perform acceptably for you? Does he act the way you think he ought to act? If he doesn’t, do you think it is because he is out of line, or because your perspective is askew? Most of us want him to change our circumstances and other people’s character, not our character and others circumstances.
But the only way he can change other people’s circumstances through us is to change us. And that is a different process. It meant a Cross for Jesus, and if we want to follow him, it will mean one for us as well.
—Dennis Kinlaw, This Day with the Master
Jesus knew rejection would come—but he walked forward anyway. He faced the pain of being misunderstood, dismissed, and even rejected by those closest to him. That rejection wasn’t just theoretical—it was personal. His neighbors, his family, his own people refused to believe. Not because he lacked love or truth, but because he didn’t fit the image they wanted. In the same way, many of us know the sting of being rejected not for doing wrong, but for daring to live differently—faithfully, humbly, authentically.
And yet, Jesus stayed the course. Not to impress, but to transform. He wasn’t interested in putting on a show or fixing circumstances without first changing hearts. That’s often where healing begins—in us. We want relief; Jesus offers redemption. We want others to change; Jesus starts by changing us. And that road isn’t always easy—it led him to a Cross. But it also leads to resurrection, and through us, to hope for others. When you feel rejected or misunderstood, remember: you’re walking a path Jesus walked first—and he’s walking it with you still. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics