Fifth Sunday in Easter - Rejection Is Nothing
Goes along with Adult Devotion of the same title.
Jesus trusted in God’s words about him, and we can trust in God’s words about us!
Read 1 Peter 2:2-10.
Bible Focus: “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house.” -1 Peter 2:4-5a
When Jesus was on Earth, there were a lot of people who didn’t like him. They thought his teaching was bogus; they thought his miracles were tricks; they didn’t believe he was the Son of God. They rejected him in every way possible.
It would have been easy for Jesus to accept their rejection. However, instead of thinking about their unkind words, Jesus thought about the words of his Father. When Jesus was baptized, God the Father spoke to him and said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
All of the rejection Jesus received meant nothing compared to his Father’s words. He knew that he was chosen and precious in God’s eyes. Nobody else’s opinion mattered!
Like Jesus, people reject us sometimes. They might not want to be our friends. Maybe we want to be on a sports team or in a club, but we don’t get in. We might even try to share the love of Jesus with someone, and they refuse to listen.
It would be easy for us to accept their rejection. But just like Jesus, we, too, can think about the words spoken at our baptisms:
“[Insert your name here], I baptize you in the name of God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.”
We are chosen and precious in God’s eyes, just like Jesus! Our baptisms save us! It doesn’t matter what anyone else says; God loves us, and that’s that.
If you have not been baptized, please, talk to your pastor. It is the gift of God for you!
Your challenge this week:
The next time someone rejects you, thank God for choosing you.
Please pray:
Heavenly Father, I praise you for choosing me. I confess that sometimes, I let other people’s rejections get to me. Thank you for reminding me of your love for me. I ask you to help me keep your love in my heart and mind always. In your Son’s name I pray, Amen.
