What Jesus Did! 'Not a Personal Rejection' — Luke 10:16

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Then [Jesus] said to the disciples [he was sending as missionaries], "Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me."
— Luke 10:16 NLT

Key Thought

As Jesus' disciples, we must not take the rejection, or the acceptance, of the message of Christ personally. Yes, we should be passionate about sharing that message. Yes, we must understand the eternal implications of accepting or rejecting that message. But the Good News is about Jesus. People aren't accepting or rejecting us; they are deciding about Jesus. And, when they choose or reject Jesus, they are choosing or rejecting God. Let's remember that our mission is not about us but God - his Son, his message, his Kingdom, and his desire to save the lost.

Today's Prayer

Father, I confess that when people reject my attempts at sharing the Good News with them, I take it too personally. I know deep in my heart that their rejection is not a personal rejection of me, but personal feelings do often get in the way. Help me see the issue more clearly. Help me see their response as acceptance or rejection of you and your grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Authority Over Demons in Jesus' Name
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"Then [Jesus] said to the disciples, "Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who...."
What Brings Deep Joy
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"My Dear Little One, The world is a big place. I've asked you to step into this big place and make a big difference. I know there will be times when....."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 10:16 NLT — "Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, July 2, 2023

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 15:17
"Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Is Your Guard' (Ps. 139:4-6)
"You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Out of Your Dark Cell' (Ps. 107:10-15)
"Some of you were locked in a dark cell, cruelly confined behind bars... not a soul in sight to help. Then you called out to GOD in your desperate..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Head-to-Toe in the Full Armor of God'
"Dear Faithful Follower, Some of the churches in your day are skilled at drawing big audiences. Many more congregations, both large and small, need to..."

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!