Overcoming Rejection: The Eternal Welcome in Christ

 “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. . .”

John 1:11-12

Dear Friends,

Rejection is a universal experience, but it cuts deepest when it comes from a place where love and acceptance should be guaranteed. Those of us who have experienced this devastation are in good company. The worst example of this travesty is when our Savior entered the world He created. He came to those who were His own, but they did not receive Him. 

The Sting of Rejection

Most of us have suffered the emotional effects of rejection from time to time. We even expect it in certain places, but every so often we are surprised by it. Recently, I traveled across the world. The long twenty-four hour travel time, while exhilarating, was also exhausting. I saw things I had never seen before and visited places unknown and unfamiliar.  

During my travels I passed through a number of different airports and was pleasantly surprised at the gracious reception and care the airport workers and flight attendants provided. But there is nothing like going home and on the long trek back to the States I longed for the familiar and comfortable surroundings. 

When my feet stepped back onto my native soil my heart leapt with joy. Not only was I home in my own country, but this first leg of my return was in the old stomping grounds of my youth. This was the airport I flew out of and into as a child and young woman whenever taking a long journey. I was truly home, or so I thought.

I don’t know what I was expecting; maybe a band playing in the baggage area or even just a welcome home sign. But what I received was not what I wanted. The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave greeted me with disgruntled passengers and irate security guards. The drab airport felt more like a sterile detention center than a welcoming embrace after a long journey. While probably unreasonable on my part, it still felt like a kick in the teeth. 

Rejection at its Worst

This feeling of disconnection and unmet expectations during my travels reminded me of an even greater rejection—the rejection of Christ by His own creation. The Savior of the world, the God of heaven, came to His own – the people He created and chose – and they did not receive Him. Instead of welcoming the King they relegated Him to a stable birth, and eventually crucified Him on a Roman cross. That is rejection at its worst! 

Yet, the whole series of events was not out of God’s control. While my feeling of dismissal was unexpected, God knew the world would reject Him, and He chose to come anyway. He laid down His own life, only to take it up again. No one took it from Him, but He laid it down of His own accord (John 10:17-18).

An Invitation to Belong

This dismal reception of God’s Son has as its counterpart an invitation. While those who were His own rebuffed Him, those who receive Him and believe in His name may become His children with all the rights and privileges of royalty. The heavenly Father longs to lavish us with His great love and bless us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. This incredible reception and sense of belonging is available to all who receive Christ and believe in His name!

As the wheels of my final flight hit pavement in Columbus, Ohio, I disembarked, grabbed my suitcase and practically ran to the waiting area where my heart flipped at the sight of our white pick-up truck. There, Bart was waiting for me with lots of big smiles and hugs, and my feelings of rejection quickly dissipated because I was now in the arms of someone who loved me.

How much greater is the welcoming embrace of our heavenly Father! He sent His only Son into the world where He suffered the greatest rejection, so that all who believe in Him could be welcomed into His family. 

If you’re seeking a place of ultimate acceptance, the arms of the Father are open wide. Will you step into His embrace today?”

Love,

Mama

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