Do you carry a story of rejection? Maybe it feels like there is a banner over your head declaring that you are UNWANTED, UNLOVED, REJECTED? Rejection carries tones of shame that cannot be covered over easily. It infects us, down to the very core.

Did you know you’re not alone? The pages of the Bible carry stories of painful rejection. Let’s not forget Hagar, bitterly cast away by her husband (Genesis 21), Leah who was the less beautiful, unwanted bride (Genesis 29), and Joseph who was discarded by his brothers (Genesis 37). And that’s just the book of Genesis! Rejection has marred so many beloved image-bearers throughout history.

But that’s not the end of the story! We have a Savior who was “despised and rejected”, a “man of suffering”—“like someone people turned away from”. He was “unvalued”, “oppressed and afflicted”, “cut off from the land of the living” (Isaiah 53). And in the darkest moment of history, this Man of Sorrows, bloodied and dying on a cross yelled out to His Father—“My God, my God, why have you abandoned Me?” (Matthew 27:46). In the horrible darkness of that moment, sin was atoned for, forgiveness was made possible, relationship was purchased, the temple veil was torn in two, and the gate opened for ACCEPTANCE & NEARNESS.

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
(Stuart Townsend)

We are in good company in our rejection. We are not alone. We have a Savior who knows the anguish we face. And yet, through His life laid down, we have been ACCEPTED and EMBRACED by the Father. So let’s lift up our eyes today. Rejection is not the end of our story if we are in Christ- He endured rejection and paid the price for us to be brought near, fully known, fully loved, fully accepted (Romans 3-8). Amen.