Do you know any rejects? Growing up, way before school uniforms were required, or in vogue, we wore what we wanted to school. The show-offs would have genuine brands or items. Guys wore “Knits”-knitted shirts that looked like a Polo shirt but came in colors and varying designs. They also wore silk, or mohair pants with leather Playboy shoes or Hush-Puppies. Most of us, however, wore what those guys referred to as “rejects.” They were knockoffs. They cost less but looked identical.
In sports, if you couldn’t hit the ball, catch, or throw, you were a reject, a scrub, or a fish; someone no one wanted on their team. There was no social media, yet everyone knew where they stood. But, with each new game, one had the chance at redemption; you could get out of being a reject and become a “homeboy,” someone who “had it.”
In Jesus’ day, the world was bursting at the seams with rejects. It had nothing to do with sports or clothing. For one, the religious officials tended to look down upon those who were not as prestigious as they. For another, God had stipulations in His law outlining who was allowed into His temple and who wasn’t. His stipulations included types of sacrifices to be offered by those who were lame, blind, crippled, leprous, etc. There was no way of escaping one’s identity or social status.
God saw that man used his ability of “keeping the law” as a tool to keep others down. He didn’t like it. He rebuked the religious leaders and grew closer to the rejects. And, he had other plans! He made a way for everyone! He leveled the playing field!
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
God allowed sinless Jesus to take our sins upon Himself and died willingly in our place. Did so, so that we’d all become like Him.
NO MORE A REJECT! You’re now the real thing-once you accept His sacrifice for you on the cross! No one can push you away, not even God!
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10).
THE REAL THING,
God Bless,
Sam