FEBRUARY 25, 2013
Always
Accepted
Read: John 1:6-13
He came to His own, and His own did not receive
Him. —John 1:11
Financial
expert Warren Buffet, one of the richest people in the world, was
rejected by
Harvard’s Business School at age 19. After a failed admissions
interview, he
recalls a “feeling of dread,” along with concern over his father’s
reaction to
the news. In retrospect, Buffet says, “[Everything] in my life . . .
that I
thought was a crushing event at the time has turned out for the better.”
Rejection,
though undeniably painful, does not have to hold us back from
accomplishing
what God wants us to do. The citizens of Jesus’ hometown
denied that He was the
Messiah (John 1:11), and many of His followers later
rejected Him (6:66). Just
as Jesus’ rejection was part of God’s plan for His Son
(Isa. 53:3), so was
Jesus’ continued ministry. Enduring earthly rejection and
knowing that the
Father would turn away from Him at Calvary (Matt. 27:46),
Jesus went on to cure
the sick, cast out demons, and preach good news to
the masses. Before His
crucifixion, Jesus said, “[Father], I have finished the
work which You have
given Me to do” (John 17:4).
If
rejection has become a hindrance to the work God has given you to do,
don’t
give up. Remember that Jesus understands, and those who come to
Him will always
be accepted by Him (6:37).
No one understands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim.
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;
Cast your every care on Him. —Peterson
by John W. Peterson. © Renewal 1980. John W. Peterson Music Company.
No one understands like Jesus.
Source: Our Daily Bread 2012
