Despised and Rejected
Despised and Rejected
Jeb Graydon
“Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
When Jesus Christ came to earth, he did not become half-God, half-man. He remained fully God, yet he veiled his majesty by also becoming fully man. He came not with earthy nobility, but in utter humility, with “no form or majesty.” Though He is the Creator of the universe, He didn’t look like a king, dress like a king, behave like a king, and the people could not understand that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Instead, they despised Him, mocking Him for his claims of deity. Though He created them, the people rejected Him and crucified Him. Why did Jesus put Himself through this humiliation? Because He loves us, and because it brings Him glory. God planned our redemption from the beginning of creation in order to draw unto Himself “a people for His own possession” (1 Peter 2:9).
Since Adam and Eve sinned, the rest of humanity inherited that sinful nature. The forgiveness of sins requires the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). Rather than punish His chosen people as we deserved, He chose to be despised and rejected so we could be loved and accepted. Jesus had to become fully man so that He could suffer and die. His perfect, sinless blood was the once and final sacrifice which was accepted by God. If Jesus had not become man, He could not have died, and we would still be lost in our sins. He took what we deserved so that we would not be rejected. Oh, what incredible love the Father has for us!
So what can we learn from this passage? If you are “acquainted with grief” (v3), know that our Lord has gone before us and can fully sympathize with the deepest pain and grief we experience in our lives (Hebrews 4:15). If you are upset or embarrassed about your low social standing, know that Jesus Christ stepped down from his throne in Heaven and “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). There is nothing we go through in this life in which Jesus has not gone before us and experienced Himself and can sympathize with us.
Reflection: Spend time reflecting on how Christ chose to step down from paradise to live life as a lowly man with no special wealth, social standing, or privileges. Reflect on the fact that you and I deserve to be rejected by God because of our sin, yet Christ took the place of His chosen people in order to grant acceptance into His Kingdom for those who repent and believe in Him. Spend time in prayer thanking God for taking on our shame and sin.