Who is Jesus? Rejected by His own people

Verses:

'He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. '

Isaiah 53:3

'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; '

Psalms 118:22

'He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. '

John 1:11

'Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ ? '

Matthew 21:42

'Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. '

Luke 23:34

Devotional:

Have you ever given a gift that you knew held great value, but the person receiving it didn’t truly appreciate it? I can only imagine how God must have felt when Israel rejected Jesus, His Son. Of course, Isaiah had prophesied Jesus’ rejection long before He came, and in Psalms 118 the phrase “the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” became a phrase often repeated in the New Testament to describe the rejection of Jesus by His own people.

Jesus Himself used that line in speaking to the chief priests and the Pharisees, and the Apostle Peter used it on two other occasions describing Israel’s rejection of Jesus. Imagine that: the greatest gift of the greatest value, and the people He came to save said, “No thanks.” Of course, God knew this would happen and that Jesus’ path would be marked with rejection, sorrow and pain. Yet He endured it all for us. On the cross, He even asked the Father to forgive the people for their rejection of Him. The rejected stone became our Cornerstone, and the Truth on which we build our foundation.

Reflect:
In today’s world, we still see people rejecting Jesus and His gift of salvation. Even after countless discoveries of historical evidence, and endless testimonies of lives being changed, families being restored, and supernatural victories, many people still say, “No thanks.” Are we, as Christ followers, able to face their rejections and view them through a lens of grace? Are we compelled to offer the same prayer as Jesus in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” or are our hearts hardened by their rejection of Jesus?

Respond:
Who do you have in your circle of friends or even in your family who has rejected Jesus and the gift of salvation? Are you afraid to speak to them about it? Have you given up praying for them to receive it? Even to the point of His death, Jesus never gave up on the people who rejected Him. As Christ followers, we should be willing to do the same.

Pray:
Father, we thank You for the gift of salvation, and we are so grateful for the pain You endured to offer it to us. Help us to remain vigilant in praying for those we know who have rejected You and Your message. Help us to never lose our heart for the lost. In Your name I pray. Amen.