|

Daily Time™ Devotional: Respond to Rejection Like Jesus

Today we’re talking about how to respond to rejection like Jesus did while He walked the earth. You’re invited to use this interactive devotional in your Daily Time with God. Grab your journal and follow the prompts in the Journal Time section to get started.


See how to respond to rejection like Jesus from these biblical examples in this Daily Time™ Devotional with interactive prompts. #ThrivingInChrist #DailyTime #Devotional #Jesus #Rejection #hurt  #biblicaltruths #disciplesI’m really not sure why the minister invited me over two decades ago to come to Australia to minister. I’d done very little ministry at that point and wasn’t a very mature Christian. There was enough passion for God in my young heart that could be useful I guess.

And even though God moved in a mighty way at those three churches I ministered at, I still botched my relationship with God a couple years later when I rejected Him.

I was mad at God. He was, in my estimation, a controller. But I was woefully deceived in my view of Him.

He loved me despite it all, and brought me back into a strong relationship with Him soon after. What beautiful grace!

Yet many, many years later, I still questioned how I could walk with Him for a time (even in ministry), and then walk away from Him. The thing is, I’m not alone.

3 Examples of Jesus Rejected by Disciples

Jesus was no stranger to rejection before His crucifixion. Many of His disciples abandoned Him, Judas betrayed Him, and Peter denied Him.

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. John 6:66

Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. John 18:2

The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” John 18:17

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. John 18:25-27

That kind of hurt sounds fun. #sarcasm

The thing that stands out to me the most is how He dealt with the hurt. We need to respond to rejection like Jesus! That’s what we’re digging into today.

Jesus was no stranger to rejection before His crucifixion. Many of His disciples abandoned Him, Judas betrayed Him, and Peter denied Him. #DailyTime #Devotional Click to Tweet

Respond to Rejection Like Jesus in These Case-by-Case Studies

If you and I are going to respond to rejection like Jesus did, then we need to glean from the following examples:

From Many Disciples

How did Jesus respond to the abandonment of many disciples?

So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” John 6:67

He gave the Twelve who remained the choice to walk away as well. He didn’t force anyone to stay with Him.

From Judas

How did Jesus respond to Judas’ betrayal?

Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” John 6:70

Why did Jesus call Judas a “devil”? The name διάβολος is figuratively applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with him, (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon) John 6:70. However, focus on the first part of the verse, rather than the second. He knew what Judas would do, yet chose him anyway.

From Peter

How did Jesus respond to Peter’s denials?

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15

Peter’s denial didn’t change Jesus’ mind about Peter. Instead, He had mercy and publicly restored him (see also verses 16 -17).

Check out this Daily Time™ Devotional with interactive prompts and grow stronger in your walk with God. #ThrivingInChrist #DailyTime #Devotional #Jesus #walkwithGod

Journal Time

Write the key verse: After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. John 6:66

 

Sum up how Jesus responded to rejection from the three examples above.

 

Do you think if you were abandoned, betrayed, or denied being known by someone you loved that you could respond to rejection like Jesus?

 

What does the motivation need to be to respond to rejection like Jesus?

 

I hope you said love. When faced with rejection, love is probably doing the opposite of what your first response wants to be!

 

Look up Luke 23:34. What’s one more way Jesus responded to rejection?

 

When faced with rejection, love is probably doing the opposite of what your first response wants to be. #DailyTime #Devotional Click to Tweet

 

Pray: God, help me to live a life that will respond to rejection like Jesus did. May I choose to love others no matter how difficult it is. Help me remember the way Jesus dealt with rejection, so I can follow His pattern of love every time. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

 

*verses taken from ESV

Want to encourage others in their walk with God? Use the icons below to share this post! It takes just a minute to pin it!

You’re invited to use this interactive devotional in your Daily Time with God on three examples of Jesus being rejected by His disciples and how He responded to each. #ThrivingInChrist #DailyTime #Devotional #Jesus #Rejection #hurt #biblicaltruths #disciples

If you and I are going to respond to rejection like Jesus did, then we need to glean from these biblical examples in this Daily Time™ Devotional with interactive prompts. #ThrivingInChrist #DailyTime #Devotional #Jesus #Rejection #hurt #biblicaltruths #disciples

Similar Posts

5 Comments

  1. I hope that I can in those moments of sincerest hurt and betrayal respond like Jesus in love.

    1. kellyrbaker says:

      Me too, Brittany. I know it’s not always easy, but it helps to remember truths like this.

  2. Rebecca Jones says:

    I know I didn’t always understand everything, I can’t imagine rejecting Him, however, I have been rejected so I get it, I can’t say I always react right.

  3. It’s at times not easy to forgive, and at times we do but showing love to such ones if not like a wife or husband only wishing to be obedient and fear of God as our goal can help us do as Christ did. May the good God continue to strengthen and near us, thanks Kelly and God continue to bless you.

Comments are closed.