Rejected for the Sake of Christ

Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the scriptures:  ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes’? (Matthew 21: 42)


This is an interesting passage from the Bible. but I always wondered what cornerstone meant. Here's a definition from Wikipedia:

The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure (Wikipedia).

How often are we being teased of being a member of a prayer group?  I remember I was fondly called "Father Kirby" by some of my friends because I went to prayer meetings.  But I noticed later that those who made fun of me often confided with me in their most difficult and hurtful life situations.  At the end they asked me to pray for them.

We experience rejection at different degrees.  There's a subtle rejection through teasing or being referred as weird.  Another degree is when you stand up for your Christian values in a corrupt environment, then you are branded as "a person hard to get along with." Another is when one feels the call to be a missionary or to be a priest, but his own family and friends reject the idea.

What should be our philosophy in times of rejection?  Here are some reflections:


1. It is an honor to be rejected for the sake of Christ. 
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13).  In life we get rejected for many reasons.  We may get rejected because of our lack of ability or our physical appearance.  But if we are rejected because of Christ, then what an honor to have represented Him and to have been truly loyal to Him.


2. Draw strength of conviction from your rejection

Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ;e for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).3.

The experience of rejection helps us to be emptied or stripped of our pride.  When pride is gone and humility is practiced, then the full strength of the Holy Spirit will be experienced.  For the Spirit dwells in a humble and contrite heart.


3. God's acceptance is more important than man's rejection
If we are on the side of truth and yet we are rejected, we can only have the peace in our hearts that we did our best to represent the teachings of our Lord.  His righteousness is beyond our life on earth. What is more important than man's rejection is our acceptance in the Lord.  Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me  (Luke 10:16).”


The challenge of evangelization is how not to repel people and lose the chance of bringing them to the Lord. We must therefore have the zeal for righteousness by being an example, a true witness of God's transforming love.  We have to be in the world but not of the world.  If by our witnessing we are rejected, then what a privilege to have taken one for the team.


Why is Christianity alive until today?  I believe a major factor is because of the sacrifices of those who were rejected and martyred for the sake of Christ.