Mark 6:6b-13 Sending out the 12
REFLECTION
Rejection
Rejection comes to us all throughout life. Rejection and abandonment by parents. Rejection of friends. Rejection from job applications. Rejection from romantic partners. All bring us pain in varying degrees. How we handle it impacts all areas of our life. Some will be deeply affected by the rejection or threatened rejection of parents leading to fear of the same by others. Less effective coping mechanisms with any sort of relationship can be the result. Some may keep people at arm’s length or have difficulty with commitment. Self-sabotage can also set in, perpetuating rejection, and leaving them with the experience overall loneliness. This is for the most part within the subconscious mind. People are unaware of this unless they go through counselling. Healing comes when we face the issues.
Jesus was aware of the effects of rejection. He had been on the receiving end by many people, his hometown, the authorities, the Pharisees and even followers. We read many times that people stopped following him because what he had to say was too hard. He never rejected anyone, accepting sinners and outcasts, giving them back self-respect. He brought both physical and emotional healing. He didn’t want anyone to feel the pain of rejection. “Come to me all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” he tells those under the burden of rejection.
As Jesus sent out his disciples, he was preparing them for the inevitable rejection, advising them how to deal with it. They were taking the message of God’s redemptive love on offer to all who were prepared to repent and turn their backs on sinful lives. They were commissioned to heal the sick too. This was not some dodgy deal to be suspicious of and rejected. This was a life altering and life saving offer. Those who rejected them, and this offer were the ones who were losing out. The disciples need not feel any remorse for moving on. When we too offer the message of God’s love to all and are rejected, we need not feel remorse. We have answered the call. It is alright to move on without any negative feelings.
However, Jesus does tell them not to move on too quickly. Give it chance to take hold. Some people need a little more convincing. I’ve experienced where people have given up on new initiatives because it didn’t seem to be fruitful. Wisdom is when to decide when to call time. I have seen faithful members worn out by years of trying to carry on running groups within the church.
QUESTIONS
- When have you experienced rejection? How did this affect you? What emotions did you experience?
- Do you find it easy to start new projects? Do you fear failure and rejection?
- Which groups within your life need to let go?
- What has been your experience of moving on? Did you shake off the dust or continue to mull over the situation?
