That Sharp Pain of Rejection

Being rejected is possibly one of the most painful of all emotional experiences. Rejection can actually shape the future of a young person and ultimately set them on a rough path. Here are a few possible areas of rejection that you may have experienced at some point in life:

1. Rejected by a parent or close family member
2. Rejected by a girl/boy
3. Rejected by a career
4. Rejected by a school
5. Rejected by a spouse

Those 5 rejections alone can alter a bright future!

Reading Mark 12 we see how Jesus dealt with rejection. He tells a parable of a the vine-growers. The story goes that an owner of a vineyard rented out his vines. When he sends his servants to collect some of the fruit, the renters either kill or beat up every servant that is sent. The owner of the vineyard even sends his own son, yet he too is killed. Then Jesus quotes Psalm 118 in Mark 12:10:

‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone;

So how can this encourage us? There are a few important things to remember from this passage.

1. We see in the parable of the vine growers, it’s not the servants who are being rejected, nor even the son, but the owner! So Jesus must have know that he wasn’t being rejected, but his Father (God) was the one ultimately being rejected.
2. When you begin to study the Psalm 118 passage and look at other verses that relate to the “stone” (who is Jesus) we find Romans 9:33 quoting a passage from Isaiah: “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE…” It’s as though God knew that Jesus would be offensive, causing people to stumble and reject truth.

So here is the take away. Rejection is no fun! However, if you are being rejected because of your convictions and faith in Jesus, be reminded that YOU are not being rejected, but the one whom you serve is being rejected. You may be offensive and a stumbling block…for the right reasons. What is the reward for this rejection? Jesus himself preached that when you are persecuted for HIS namesake, you will inherit the kingdom of God. That even the son of God, who was bringing good news, freedom and life, was rejected by many. Yet, he knew that his value and worth was in the one he served. Be encouraged.