Rejected By Your Own

Rejection, in and of itself, is bad enough. But when you're rejected by those close to you – I can tell you firsthand – it's devastating. When those who should have stood by you, instead stab you in the back and leave you by the side of the road, bleeding … well, words can't describe how that feels. Perhaps you have been too. What makes it worse is when those close to you – work colleagues, family members, people in your own community – reject you for doing what's good. Sure, if you've done something really bad, you can understand it. But when all you've done is your best, and still they reject you – the pain is unimaginable. Does anyone understand? Does God even understand? The first thing that Jesus did in His public ministry was to preach in the synagogue in His hometown, Nazareth. At first, people were amazed by what He said. But soon, they turned against Him. Luke 4:28-30 When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were very angry. They got up and forced Jesus to go out of town. Their town was built on a hill. They took Jesus to the edge of the hill to throw him off. But he walked through the middle of the crowd and went away. Nobody – not even a family member – stood up to defend Him. They even tried to kill Him – His own people. Perhaps one day you'll be rejected by your own for trusting in this Jesus. Perhaps you already have been. If and when that happens, remember this. Jesus has been there. He completely understands what it's like. Trust in Him. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.