16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Jesus experienced rejection throughout his life, from the beginning to the very end. At birth, Herod wanted him killed. Later, Jesus was rejected when he appeared in his hometown of Nazareth. As our Bible reading today explains, it was customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. But this time was different. After reading from the scroll of Isaiah, Jesus said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. At first, the people marveled at his words. But soon their wonder about Jesus turned to wrath. We also see this shift when Jesus entered Jerusalem the last week of his life. One day the people shouted “Hosanna!” Then a few days later the same crowd yelled, “Let him be crucified!” Jesus understood rejection.
You are not alone in whatever kind of rejection you are experiencing today. Jesus is with you. “The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me”. Jesus stands with you and says, “You are loved; you are wanted: and you are enough.”
As you pray, know Jesus is by your side.
