Rejected and loved by another

 

Rejected–and loved by another

 

The year was 1966, my first high school year. My primary school friend was enrolled at a school within walking distance of home, but since my brother went to Henley High, my parents sent me there, and like every student at a new school, I wanted to make friends, particularly with the ‘in’ group. They had the most fun and everyone liked them. They wore miniskirts, free flowing hair, raved about the Beatles, and watched television.

 

As I look back, I realize I was a misfit with false expectations. My family never played competitive sport, visited the cinema, or read any book on a Sunday unrelated to the Bible. We went to the Sunday Meeting (our worship service with extended family), sang hymns, relaxed on family drives, went walking in our best clothes, or took an afternoon rest. I wore over the knee dresses, hats, my hair in pigtails, and no cosmetics.

 

  During those early high school days, I struck up a conversation with a girl with long blonde plaits. Aha, here was a potential friend. At lunch, I looked out for her. She’d chummed up with a bunch of her primary school buddies and they sat in a circle on the grass in the warm summer sunshine. I slipped in beside them. I don’t remember their cheerful chatter, but if they were raving about their favorite television show, I’d have clamped up. We didn’t own a television and I couldn’t pepper their discussions with juicy gossip about the actors. They ignored me. But I wasn’t giving up. On the next break, I sat with them again, and a lass suggested a game. That sounded good.

 

“Close your eyes, and we’ll sing a song.”

 I shut my eyes and hummed along, pleased to be part of the fun. I heard shuffling, and wanted to peak.

 “Keep your eyes closed! No cheating.”

 After a few minutes, the singing grew fainter and stopped. I opened my eyes, and realized they'd created a new, close-knit group, leaving me to sit alone. I got the message. This weird girl didn’t belong in their elite circle and their tightknit group.

 Rejected and left alone.

 When you’re a teenager, rejection cuts to the core, and you never forget it, even after you've forgiven  your oppressors. For these girls, my ultra conservative dress code and reserved manner were a step too far. But it could have been anyone, not just me. They’d have found an excuse.

 Who has pushed you away for no valid reason? Most of us have felt rejected or we may even have caused it. You don’t have to believe your rejector’s opinion of you. Instead, it's possible discover how Jesus sees you, and depend on him for love and support.  And let’s try to see others as Jesus sees them.

  Yet on a much greater scale, David suffered rejection and death threats from King Saul because the king was jealous of David’s popularity. He fled from the king’s presence. In Psalm 35, David described his anguish as his enemies set a trap, so he’d fall into it. Yet he’d been a faithful friend. He’d even fasted, prayed for them, and wept when they were sick. Now they’d slandered and mocked him. David pleaded with God to help him.

 “Let not those who gloat over me who are my enemies without a cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.” Psalm 35:19.

 A greater prophet and king endured his countrymen’s rejection: Jesus. And at Easter. we are reminded of its tragic consequences. The scribes and Pharisees rejected Jesus. He’d exposed their hypocrisy and won the common people’s support through healing miracles. They praised him with hosannas as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, but the leaders’ malice grew until they arrested and crucified him.

 

Long before, David prophesied about the Son of God’s rejection and triumph by the Holy Spirit.

 In the temple courts, centuries later, Jesus recounted this vineyard parable to Pharisees, law teachers, and the common people. The owner rented the vineyard to tenants and sent a servant to collect the harvest. But the tenants beat him and chased him away. When the owner sent his son, they killed him and stole the vineyard. Jesus promised justice would be done, and the Pharisees knew he was referring to them because they had corrupted God’s house of Israel, and now were rejecting his Son. As he looked straight at them, he quoted David’s words.

 

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the capstone.” Psalm 118:22. Jesus would triumph.

 

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the priests, temple captain and Sadducees arrested Peter and John for preaching about Jesus’ resurrection and healing a physically disabled man in Jesus’ name. The officials brought them before the courts the next day. But Peter boldly defended Jesus. “It is by the name of Jesus of Nazareth, who you crucified but whom God raised from the dead that this man stands before you this day.” Acts 4:10-11.

         How did God defeat these gross acts of rejection? He raised Jesus from the dead, winning the victory over Satan, the prince of jealousy and pride.

        If we are Jesus’ followers, he shares in all our experiences. He knows the pain and has counted the cost for us. Let’s see our rejection through his greater suffering. If God allowed his pain to bring us to heaven, we can rely on his superior plans. He won’t waste our suffering.

 

                                                    Jesus promised to be with us always. 
                                          Whoever comes to him he will never cast aside.
                         See John 6: 37.  He will never reject you when you commit yourself to his care.

 

 Has someone given you the cold shoulder in no uncertain terms? Jesus loves you and his arms are always open. He’s your best friend when you need comfort and safety. Are you hurting and broken? The stone which the builders rejected has become the capstone, the foundation of the church. He can transform our brokenness and stony hearts into his living stones in the church for his glory and our benefit. Let’s let go of our hurts and place our trust in him.

 After a lifetime of walking with Jesus, I can promise you he's the friend who stays closer than a brother, sister or even your partner. 

       “I will never leave you or forsake you. We may say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5.