Overcoming Rejection
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Overcoming Rejection
In today’s passage from Luke, Jesus faces rejection from His hometown, Nazareth. As He teaches in the synagogue, the people question, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22). Their lack of belief in Him as the Messiah reveals their refusal to embrace who He truly is and the purpose for which He was called. However, Jesus remains unfazed. He is confident in His identity and His mission, which leads us to ask: How does knowing who we are and the purpose for which we are called help us overcome rejection? To answer this, we turn to the calling of Jeremiah, where we learn vital truths about identity and purpose.
God establishes our Real Identity.
In Jeremiah’s calling, God tells him, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5a). God knows us in a way that no one else can. Others may try to define us—just as the people of Nazareth tried to define Jesus by His earthly lineage—but our true identity comes from God. This knowledge should be a source of confidence. Jesus knew He was the Messiah, sent to fulfill God’s plan. Even when rejected, He could stand firm because His Father affirmed Him—“This is my Son, whom I love; with Him, I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Like Jesus, our identity is not based on what others think or even what we think about ourselves, but on God’s truth about who we are.
Who We Are Determines How We Were Made.
Jeremiah struggled with the thought that he wasn’t qualified for God’s calling, saying, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young” (Jeremiah 1:6). But God reassures him, saying, “I have appointed you” (Jeremiah 1:5). God doesn’t make mistakes. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), designed with a unique purpose. Our strengths, weaknesses, and struggles are all part of God’s intentional design. Knowing that God crafts us helps us find confidence in facing rejection. We don’t need to rely on our abilities alone. God has equipped us for the tasks He calls us to.
God Determines What We Will Do.
God doesn’t just create us; He appoints us with a purpose. He tells Jeremiah, “I have appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The same is true for us. God has a plan for each of our lives, which extends far beyond what we can see in the moment. Jesus, knowing His purpose, did not allow rejection to deter Him. His confidence in the Father’s will sustained Him, even when others rejected Him. When we embrace our God-given purpose, it becomes the anchor in times of opposition. The opinions of others and the rejection we may face cannot change the divine purpose set for us.
Acknowledging Our Weakness Does Not Disqualify Us.
Jeremiah’s response to God’s call reveals a common human fear: inadequacy. “Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am too young” (Jeremiah 1:6). This is where we see the beauty of God’s design. God doesn’t expect us to accomplish His purposes on our own strength. In fact, He often allows us to recognize our limitations so that we will rely fully on Him. Paul reminds us that “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). God affirms our weaknesses and uses them to display His strength. Jesus, knowing His own strength came from the Father, could stand firm in the face of rejection.
God Affirms Us in Our Weakness.
God’s affirmation of Jeremiah’s calling is clear: “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:8). Just as He affirmed Jeremiah, God affirms us in our calling. Rejection doesn’t equate to failure; it’s often a sign that we are walking in the purpose God has for us. God’s presence in our lives equips us to keep moving forward, even in the face of opposition.
Embracing Our Identity and Purpose Leads to Activation.
Finally, when we embrace who we are in Christ and the purpose God has appointed for us, He activates us for service. Jeremiah initially resists, but God tells him, “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you” (Jeremiah 1:17). Once we realize our true identity and calling, God sends us out in His strength to fulfill His purposes. Jesus exemplifies this when He continues His ministry despite rejection, trusting in God’s plan. Likewise, we are called to go out, knowing that our identity and purpose are secure in Him.
Conclusion
Jesus’ confidence and unshakable purpose in the face of rejection come from His knowledge of who He is and what He was sent to do. As believers, we are called to the same confidence, drawn from the unshakable foundation of our identity in God and His purpose for our lives. Just as Jeremiah learned, our weaknesses don’t disqualify us; they are how God’s strength is made known. When we fully embrace who God says we are and the purpose He has set before us, we can face rejection with courage, knowing that God’s will for our lives is greater than any opposition we may face.
May we go forward with confidence, just as Jesus and Jeremiah did, knowing that our identity and purpose are grounded in the One who created us and called us.
