Jesus Was Rejected Series

The Old Testament word “hadel” is used in this verse that is transliterated as rejected, but this word has also been used in the Bible to mean forbearing. The word “hadel” is used in Ez 3: when God told the prophet that some will listen to the message but there will also be those who refuse to listen. In the KJV we read that “He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear. So the Suffering Servant, which we say is Jesus Christ, was rejected by the religious leaders, and they refused to listen to his message.

We all like to be accepted: to get the job, to get a personalised gift, where someone made that special effort to get your name right. We all like to be accepted. And conversely, we don't want to be overlooked or, even worse, put down or removed from the rota.

Jesus, the Suffering Servant was rejected, and the authorities actively rejected him. But Jesus' rejection was much more than that from a self-indulgent group. This rejection was far deeper, more widespread, and closer to home. Right from the beginning he was rejected, including his family members. In the Gospel of John, we read that "Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” You can just hear the sneering tone being used by Jesus' brothers. They looked at Jesus and saw a man who wanted to make it big, be the big Kahuna, the main man, which was the opposite of what he wanted. Jesus healed and told those who were made whole to tell no one about it. He didn’t want to be the focus of all the attention. No, it wasn’t attention he wanted, he showed great humility throughout his ministry. Yet his family rejected Jesus.

On one occasion, Jesus had just finished preaching and had been talking a lot in parables. He preached about the parable of the sower, then about the weeds, the mustard seed, the yeast, the hidden treasure, the pearl, and finally the net. Everywhere he went everyone was impressed with Jesus' wisdom. What did he do next? Did he stay around and soak up all the glory and adulation? No, he turned around and went home. Next, he started to preach at the local synagogue, but the reaction wasn’t the same. Yes, they were amazed by His wisdom and the miracles were great, but there was something wrong. "Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offence at him.” You see familiarity breeds contempt. How could they take offence? What did He do wrong? He taught and he healed yet they took offence! He was rejected.

Moving on, we get to the final day of Jesus' earthly ministry. Jesus and His disciples are in the Upper Room where they have a meal together. While they are eating Jesus leans over to Judas and tells him to go. Judas turns his back on his teacher and goes out to betray Him. During the meal, Jesus introduces the “Last Supper.” and after the meal, they go out to the Mount of Olives and then to the Garden of Gethsemane. This was all too much for the disciples and they fell asleep. Yet while they were asleep, a detachment of soldiers, up to 600 soldiers came with the religious leaders and Judas to arrest Jesus. The commotion was loud enough to awaken the disciples. Peter was probably still drowsy, not really knowing what was going on, and got hold of a sword and cut the High Priest's servant's ear off, which Jesus duly healed.

The soldiers took Jesus away for questioning, and while this was going on Peter was also asked some questions. Are you a Galilean? Are you a disciple of Jesus? "No way!" responded Peter. Peter was brave enough to take a sword to the servant but these questions were too much, too personal and Peter betrayed Jesus. He rejected Him. However, this rejection wasn’t on a single occasion, Peter denied Jesus three times.

The trial was a farce. The witnesses couldn’t get their act together, but that didn't matter because the hearing was a foregone conclusion from the very beginning. Jesus was found guilty and sentenced to death. Some more manoeuvering took place, some more face-saving, but in the end, the Son Of Man, who healed and reconciled humanity to God went to the cross.