Key Texts: John 5: 34 – 44; Isaiah 41: 10; Psalm 94: 14; John 16: 33
Additional Texts: John 3 – 7; John 15: 18 – 20; Luke 6: 22; John 1: 11; Luke 10: 16
Last week, Christian worship leader and psalmist, Ron Kenoly transitioned to his heavenly home. His music drew me (and I’m sure many others!) closer to Christ through every season of my life, whether through live, night-long, gospel concerts in Jamaica where I was privileged to see him minister, or through recorded music which still encourages me! He made Jesus known and his work continues to be a blessing today. Did you know that before he was ‘accepted’ as a gospel singer, he faced years of rejection? What would have happened to all the encouraging songs he wrote if he acquiesced? This rejection clearly did not deter him – he knew he had a calling and with God’s help, pursued it, even if he was of relatively mature years when his music exploded, leading many to Christ and encouraging others. It seems he was acutely aware of Jesus’ admonition to be courageous because in this world, we who call Him Saviour WILL face rejection. He told His disciples and tells us today to remember that He overcame the world and so can we! (John 16: 33).
In this instalment of ‘Show and Tell’, Jesus’ blunt reaction to rejection demonstrates a helpful Biblical perspective on handling it effectively. This subject was broached in Part 7 when He reacted to betrayal, and again in Part 9, when His critics demanded signs to prove His identity. The theme overlaps, but in this article, the focus is more on being disliked due to our identity in Christ. How much do you care about ‘likes’ from others? Do you live and breathe for others’ approval? Are you devastated and unable to be content when you are rejected? If you are, Jesus does not condemn you, but offers an alternative.
In John’s accounts of Jesus’ encounters with scoffers and doubters during His earthly ministry (in the key, additional and other texts), there are several descriptions of conversations in which Jesus’ identity was questioned. He was disbelieved in a culture that should have been more aware of His identity, after engaging with Moses’ words about the Messiah. Yet, among the religious elites who had all authority on morality and religion, as well as the common man, the general attitude was one of ridicule against Him being the one they had read and heard about for generations. Jesus refused to operate within the box they had created for Him, healing on the Sabbath and teaching boldly that He represented God – His Father, who sent Him. He was seen as a misfit – an unlikely candidate to be the Son of God as He was born to ordinary parents. Furthermore, the Jews had no evidence of Him studying the scriptures as they did, and went as far as accusing Him of being possessed when He prophesied about the plot to kill Him. To them, He was wrong. Wrong background. Wrong message. Wrong to heal on the Sabbath (though He is Lord of it!). (Mark 2: 27 -28). Wrong to boldly declare His identity as God’s Son. Yawn.
Thankfully, Jesus was not deterred. He was fully confident in His Father’s approval, and assured of His purpose. He did not give undue focus to His enemies and haters – His mission was salvation. In John 5, He declared that His verification came from God alone – not man. He made it clear that He did not care for man’s glory or approval – His understanding of the superiority of God’s validation gave Him the resolve, confidence and temerity to face betrayal, rejection and persecution with the understanding that no demonic assignment or ignorance could stop God’s plan. He was humble and did not want fame or accolades – instead, His confidence was in God, long before man pronounced erroneous opinions of Him. He knew that His death, burial and resurrection were sure, as well as the ensuing provision of the Holy Spirit for His disciples when He returned to the Father (John 14).
In truth, Jesus’ confidence could not have been developed while He faced rejection; He needed the assurance of God’s presence before He was rejected and persecuted for pursuing His will (John 5: 16). It seemed it was divinely orchestrated – His knowledge of the reason for the hate targeted towards Him before He faced it. Without such inner strength, He would have perhaps eventually collapsed under pressure. Instead, with this foreknowledge, He was confident that God heard when He prayed (John 11: 41; John 14: 16), consistent in His focus on His assignment when threats abounded, resolved when His own earthly brothers doubted His identity and asked that He proved Himself and His worth to them and other onlookers, certain that He had a predetermined, divine appointment with His destiny and strong when the Jews went as far as accusing Him of being possessed! (John 7). Additionally, He clearly knew, (undoubtedly) that He was one with the Father, and received His authority from Him (John 14: 10 – 11; John 5: 19 and 30). He confidently and calmly taught in the midst of gossips, scoffers and slanderers who were ignorant of His assignment (or unwilling to accept it!), and the enemy’s nature of trying to distract us (often through people!), from our divine destinies (John 7).
Jesus’ attitude towards rejection may not be easy for us to imitate, but we must accept the challenge to begin to engage with the process; He faced rejection and was not perturbed, and as He overcame, so can we (John 16: 33). In the key text, He blatantly told His critics that He cared not if they accepted Him. It is somewhat encouraging to know that any rejection we face for our beliefs is firstly no surprise to God, nor is it strong enough to break our faith if it is firmly grounded in Him, like Jesus’ confidence was in His Father. It also helps to know we are loved and valued by God, as well as by our loved ones who He has loaned to us for our lives’ journeys.
As mentioned before, I was initially surprised by the level of hate, opposition and resentment that has accompanied my journey of being a Christian author, and even wondered what the enemy wanted from me, an obscure author who is still in the process of sanctification! However, with God’s help (reading the Word helps!), I understood that the enemy of our souls, a defeated foe with an end of eternal torment (Revelation 20), cannot stop God’s plans, but works overtime to try to derail or delay it through direct attacks or experiences which may discourage us. We may face rejection because of our identity in Christ, but must never forget who the real enemy behind it is! Like Jesus, the best defence against its plots is reliance on God to fulfil His purpose – the very thing the enemy wants us to abandon. As I learned (from as early as within the first few weeks of publishing in obedience to God), every time I write or speak for His glory (never man’s!), there will be three main audiences: those who want to grow in their faith and discern God speaking through whoever He chooses to use – (they appreciate it), those who care not (we are entitled to decide what we care about!), and finally, those whose god is petty competition, rivalry and honing a craft of seeking to poke holes in God’s work through others, to appease the inner bitterness and strife they endure, instead of taking it to the One who can help (Matthew 11: 28 – 30). It is slightly puzzling that amidst the demands and responsibilities of life, the enemy may find hearts willing (with time to spare!) to invest in literature and (and indeed people!) that they ultimately resent! Though the target audiences are abundantly clear – (these are messages of encouragement for those who are desirous of a relationship with Christ, those who are sincerely interested in seeking Him or are sincerely curious about Him), typically, there are those with malicious intentions. May God bless all three groups! Despite this knowledge, if I’m prompted to write, I would ultimately rather please God than man! He validates me as He did with His Son. That suffices.
Where do you stand on the issue of rejection? Are you confident in your identity in Christ and willing to pursue His calling regardless of rejection, or have you allowed it to distract you? If you’ve stooped to the level of those who reject you, your standards or your message for God, stand, straighten your back, rise above the mindless chatter, hold your head high and take strides for the Kingdom! If you’ve stooped to the level of your critics, remember that God approves and validates those He calls, as He did for His Son – He’s for you and nothing can separate you from His love. (Romans 8: 38 – 39). Remember too that often, rejection may propel our purpose as it did for Jesus, David, Joseph and many other heroes of faith – too many to detail in one article! Equally, if you have resisted your calling due to fear of rejection, consider what you, (and ultimately the Kingdom) will lose in doing so. Our callings are not all very visible or indeed, overtly Biblical – they may manifest in other gifts to help others and our loved ones. Regardless of the nature of our gifts, we have them to ultimately honour God, whether they are evident through relationships, ministries which are readily identified with Church, business, retail, writing, and the endless list of sectors and situations in which we may serve.
Why not talk to God today about your feelings about rejection or being misunderstood for your faith? He is able to give you the grace and strength to overcome it. Try talking to Him for a minute or five today – He hears! Likewise, my prayer is for you to be unbothered by rejection.
Heartfelt Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your candid approach to rejection, as demonstrated through Your Son. Help me to remember that You have already validated me, before I face those who reject what You choose to do with my life. Please help me to depend on You and overcome as You did for Jesus. I ask these mercies in Your Son’s, Jesus’ name. Amen.
