Stand Up Under Rejection
by Annie Yorty
As a young Christian, I sometimes told friends the little bit of biblical truth I had acquired. Often, their response was unenthusiastic. Sometimes they mocked me for believing so-called fairy tales. My first dose of rejection for Jesus tasted bitter. I wasn’t sure how to stand up under rejection.
The Truth of Jesus
I’m always fascinated by the number of times Jesus told His disciples and others about His identity. In the Gospel of John, Jesus made a series of proclamations beginning with “I Am.” With these statements, He identified Himself as Yahweh—I Am—of the Old Testament. He also repeatedly predicted His impending death.
Jesus backed up His claim to be God with miracles. Everyone who saw Him heal the sick, make the lame walk, drive out demons, and raise the dead realized He has the authority of God.
When the Roman soldiers approached Jesus to arrest Him, they said they were seeking Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus replied, “I am he” (John 18:5 NLT). At the mere mention of the name of God, an entire Roman cohort—600 soldiers—fell to the ground (18:6).
Jesus did not conceal His rescue mission, yet few perceived His identity or purpose for coming to earth as a human.
The Rejection of Jesus
At the time appointed by God, Jesus gave Himself up to the Roman and Jewish leaders. They led Him away like a common criminal to stand trial before several authorities.
Before Annas, a Jewish high priest, Jesus declared He had always spoken openly and honestly about the kingdom of God. As a result, the court officer beat Jesus (John 18:12-14).
When Jesus stood before Caiaphas, the high priest asked if Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus simply stated His identity. Instead of falling down on his face in worship, Caiaphas rejected Jesus and labeled Him a blasphemer (Matthew 27:62-65).
Next, the Jewish leaders delivered Jesus to Pilate for trial. The Roman governor knew Jesus was innocent of the charges against Him, but He rejected the Truth. Jesus endured severe scourging and crucifixion at Pilate’s command (John 18:28-38).
Finally, Pilate paraded Jesus before the crowd of people who had seen Jesus’ compassion and miracles. Yet they, too, rejected Him and demanded His execution (John 18:39-40).
As followers of Jesus, we also experience rejection. We may be personally spurned, or our message about Jesus may be rebuffed.
How do you stand up under rejection?
I confess a whole host of emotions run through me when I’m rejected. Anger, shame, and hurt compete for supremacy. The challenge to my self-worth prompts over-the-top self-defense. I’m tempted to cut off the person who rejected me. These are natural human reactions.
If we’re in Christ, we don’t need to allow our human inclinations to control us. Instead, we can imitate our Lord Jesus. Let’s see how Jesus responded to the ones who rejected Him.
4 Ways Jesus Stood Up Under Rejection
1. Jesus stood by the truth of His teaching.
To Annas’ interrogation, “Jesus replied, ‘Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.’” (John 18:20-21 NLT).
2. Jesus stood in His identity and purpose.
“Pilate said to Him, ‘So You are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.’” (John 18:37 NASB).
3. Jesus stood in the authority of God.
When Pilate asserted his earthly power to judge and crucify Jesus, Jesus knew who truly held His fate. “Jesus said, ‘You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above.’” (John 19:11 NLT).
4. Jesus stood under His cross.
After the crowd chose Jesus for crucifixion, He shouldered His cross and bore it to the place where He would be lifted up for the sins of the ones who rejected Him. “Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha)” (John 19:17 NLT). Knowing His suffering mattered for eternity, Jesus endured rejection and suffering with the dignity of One who knew its holy purpose.
How do you stand up under rejection? #annieyorty Share on XCompassion
During His three years of public ministry, Jesus shared the Truth in love wrapped in His unfailing compassion.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36 NLT)
Through the eyes of Jesus, we can perceive the true need of those who reject us and His gospel. In His strength, we can stand up under rejection with the love and compassion of Jesus.
Join the conversation:
Have you ever turned around rejection by responding like Jesus?
I welcome your comments!
Copyright ©2024 Annie Yorty
The Way, Truth, and Life
10 Comments
Barbara Latta
Rejection is never easy or comfortable. I pray as those times come I can remain faithful to the One who withstood the worst rejection of all for me.
Annie Yorty
Yes, Barbara, Jesus is our example. We are blessed when we endure and remain faithful. Thank you for visiting!
Heidi Vertrees
Yes, praying for Jesus to show us compassion is the best way!!! I think it’s the only way. His healing grace is so powerful!
Annie Yorty
We have no true compassion of our own to give. With the power of the Holy Spirit, though, we can demonstrate Christ’s compassion. Thank you for adding to the conversation, Heidi.
Nancy E. Head
Thanks, Annie, for this insightful post. Jesus is our model for withstanding rejection. We don’t always understand, as He did, the purpose for the crosses we carry. But He always does. God bless!
Annie Yorty
That’s a good point, Nancy. But one day, He will show us His purpose for every minute of our lives. Thanks for visiting.
Katherine Pasour
Rejection is hard, no matter its source. Jesus must have felt deep pain from the rejection of those who had so recently welcomed Him. But He showed us the way to deal with it. Thank you for this message of courage and hope, Annie.
Annie Yorty
Katherine, we can’t imagine the depth of the pain He felt. But He still loves us. Amazing! Thank you for the reminder.
J.D. Wininger
I think in my early Christian walk, especially as an awkward teenager, I handled it much like you my friend. While I still don’t handle it nearly like Jesus, these days I walk away with a great feeling of sadness. I remind myself that my job is to sow the seeds of faith. Another’s is to water, and God will reap the harvest. That’s helps me temper the sting of rejection.
Annie Yorty
When we properly understand our role, it makes all the difference. Thank you for sharing more depth to the way we can respond to rejection with God’s grace, J.D.