What Jesus Did! 'Rejected!' — John 1:10-11

Thursday, January 8, 2026

[Jesus, the Word] came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.
— John 1:10-11 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus had made everything in the universe, including the earth and all its peoples. Yet when he came to his very own chosen people, they did not accept him. Think a minute about what that means for us when we feel alone, deserted, misunderstood, forgotten, abused, ...: We have a Savior who knows how badly it hurts to be rejected by those we love; he's experienced it. He knows what it's like to be spurned by one we treasure; he felt it repeatedly. He knows what it's like to be despised by those for whom we have made major sacrifices. So when we have those overwhelming times of heartbreak, we can go to him and know he is a caring friend who has been there. He hears us and will minister to our needs and listen to our cries.

Today's Prayer

Father, it saddens me deeply to know that Jesus had to bear the pain of being rejected by those he loved, by those who watched him grow up, and by those for whom he sacrificed so much. However, dear Father, it gives me great comfort to know that he has experienced those losses and empathizes with me when I feel down, forgotten, abandoned, and forsaken. I know I can come to you, and he ensures me that I will receive grace to help me in my time of hurt and need. Thank you for being so intimately involved in this world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

31 Related Resources by Heartlight

John 1:11
Devo: Today's Verse
"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."
Not Received
Illustration of John 1:11
Inspirational illustration of John 1:11 -- He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
But to All...
Devo: Together in Christ
"The one who is the true light [Jesus Christ], who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but...."
Amazing Grace
Article by Randy Becton
Have you found out what is truly amazing this time of year? Jesus is the reminder of God's unconditional love and willingness to search and sacrifice to find us and bring us home as our love-sick father.
See All 31 Related Resources about John 1:10-11

Illustration

Illustration of John 1:10-11 NLT — [Jesus, the Word] came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, January 8, 2026

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Pleasure in All He Has Made' (Ps. 104:24,)
"O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. ... May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 26:11
"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
John 3:20-21
"Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Leviticus 13:13
"Strange enough this regulation appears, yet there was wisdom in it, for the throwing out of the disease proved that the constitution was sound. This....."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!