Why Are We Rejected So Often?

Friday, March 25, 2001

Reading: John 15:18-27

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2015:18-25&version=NIV

Reflection: Did you know that over the past year we have seen two adults and five children commit their lives to Christ? It's true. It's also the stuff that brings excitement to the church. This is because while we greatly value growing in Christ and serving for Christ, it is really Connecting people for the first time to Jesus and then to His body that really thrills the hearts of people. However, its also true that people rarely positively respond to the gospel. The vast majority of people to whom I talk have lots of questions. Many times I answer those questions in a way that causes them to believe that the gospel may in fact be factually accurate. However, that doesn't mean that they actually submit their lives to it. Most of the time, they do not. In addition, many times because they reject the gospel and the relationship it provides, they also tend to reject me and that relationship as well. Once the gospel has been shared, and rejected, somehow people tend to try to avoid me, and sometimes openly speak against me.

This used to bother me. However, Jesus reminds us in the passage of teaching today that this is to be expected. After all, if I as His student am less than the master, then if they rejected Him they will likely reject me. If they persecuted Him, they will likely persecute me. As they sought to challenge His teaching and put Him to public shame, they will likely do the same to me. So, while it still doesn't feel good to have that happen, it is understandable...and almost expected. So, rather than hiding in the corner and wishing people liked me, I need to embrace being rejected as a badge of honor and a sign that I truly am a disciple of Jesus. So, let's not seek rejection and persecution...but let's not run from it as well. Let's live faithful lives...living and speaking for Jesus...and then be honored to accept whatever consequences come to us because of our faithful witnessing.