REJECTED REDEEMER’S RISE!

John 1:11 (KJV): “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

ABSTRACT

This article examines the profound paradox of Christ’s incarnation and rejection, drawing from Scripture and the writings of Sr. White to illuminate humanity’s indifference to the Savior’s arrival. It traces the narrative from the manger’s humility symbolizing spiritual unpreparedness, through unheeded prophecies and Satan’s direct assaults, to Christ’s triumphant resistance in the wilderness using God’s Word. Culminating in a reflective call, it urges modern readers to examine their hearts, prioritize the eternal over the temporal, and welcome the King into daily life, transforming rejection into receptive faith and fellowship.

PARADOX OF PRINCE’S BIRTH!

The arrival of the Saviour into our world is a paradox that stirs the depths of human emotion. The Creator of the universe, the very Word made flesh, came to dwell among His creation, only to be met with rejection and indifference. This was not a mere oversight, but a profound spiritual statement, a deliberate turning away from the source of life and light. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11, KJV). This verse starkly highlights the tragedy of humanity’s response. It wasn’t strangers who rejected Him; it was those who should have known Him best, those who had the prophecies, the lineage, the expectation of a Messiah. Ellen G. White writes, “Nothing could have induced Christ to leave his honor and majesty in Heaven, and come to a sinful world, to be neglected, despised, and rejected, by those he came to save, and finally to suffer upon the cross, but eternal, redeeming love, which will ever remain a mystery” (The Sufferings of Christ, p. 7, 1869). This underscores the divine mystery and the human inability to fully grasp the incarnation, the infinite becoming finite, the eternal entering time. Sr. White also states, “The angelic host beheld with wonder … Satan. Behold the patient sufferer! Upon his head is the thorny crown. His life-blood flows from every lacerated vein. All this in consequence of sin!” (The Sufferings of Christ, p. 7, 1869). This further drives the main concept of the article. And, “The world’s Redeemer was treated with neglect, with scorn, with mockery, even from His birth.” (Review and Herald, June 15, 1897). “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not” (John 1:10, KJV). “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12, KJV). The rejection is further emphasized in Isaiah: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3, KJV). This prophecy, written centuries before Christ’s birth, paints a vivid picture of the suffering and rejection He would endure – a rejection not based on knowledge, but on willful ignorance and hardened hearts. And again, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). Yet, this mighty God, this Prince of Peace, this Wonderful Counselor, was rejected, His authority questioned, His very presence a threat to the established order. This article delves deeply into the biblical narrative and the writings of Sr. White to explore the profound theological implications of Christ’s birth, ministry, and mission. It is an invitation to reflect on our response to the Saviour’s call and to reassess our responsibilities toward God and our fellow man. It’s a call to examine our own hearts and see if there is any of that same rejection lingering within us, raising the question: how does this initial rejection manifest in the simplicity of Christ’s arrival?

INN’S INSULT TO KING!

The simplicity of Christ’s birth in a manger—a feeding trough for animals—is a powerful symbol of the heart of humanity’s rejection. It’s a stark contrast to the glory He deserved. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7, KJV). This seemingly minor detail speaks volumes about the world’s priorities. There was room for travelers, for commerce, for the mundane, but no room for the King of Kings, the One who created all things. Sr. White poignantly observes, “But in the city of their royal line, Joseph and Mary are unrecognized and unhonored. Weary and homeless, they traverse the entire length of the narrow street, from the gate of the city to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a resting-place for the night. There is no room for them at the crowded inn. In a rude building where the beasts are sheltered, they at last find refuge, and here the Redeemer of the world is born” (The Desire of Ages, p. 44). She further adds, “The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, descended to the level of humanity that He might lift it from its fallen condition” (The Desire of Ages, p. 49). To add further to this, she writes, “Hollow hypocrisy and pride, selfishness and gain, envy, malice and passion, have so filed the hearts of many that Christ can have no room” (The Sufferings of Christ, p. 15, 1869). There was a disconnect, a spiritual blindness. Also, “He was eternally rich “yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich.” He was clothed with light and glory, surrounded with hosts of heavenly angels, waiting to execute his commands. Yet he put on our nature, and came to sojourn among sinful mortals. Here is love that no language can express. It passes knowledge. Great is the mystery of godliness. Our souls should be enlivened, elevated, enraptured with the theme of the love of the Father and the Son to man. And the followers of Christ should learn here to reflect back in some degree that mysterious love, preparatory to joining all the redeemed in ascribing “Blessing and honor and glory and power unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”” (The Sufferings of Christ, p. 15, 1869). “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner” (Psalm 118:22, KJV). “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2, KJV). The refusal of the innkeeper is more than a historical detail; it reflects the condition of human hearts unprepared to welcome the Redeemer. It’s a microcosm of the world’s spiritual state—too full of itself, too preoccupied with the temporary, to make space for God, the eternal. As Scripture further reveals, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20, KJV). This highlights the stark contrast between the natural world, which provides for its creatures, and the human world, which rejected its Creator, the One who provides all things. Further, consider the words of Jesus himself: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19, KJV). The innkeeper’s refusal symbolizes this preference for darkness, this unwillingness to be exposed by the light of truth. And in Proverbs, we are reminded: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10, KJV) The Innkeeper, and many like him missed this fundamental truth, the very foundation of a right relationship with God, prompting us to ask: despite clear prophecies, why were so few ready to receive Him?

PROPHECIES IGNORED BY ALL!

Despite centuries of prophetic foretelling, few were truly prepared to receive Christ. The prophecies were clear, yet the hearts of the people were hardened, their minds clouded by tradition and expectation. “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:1-3, KJV). The arrival of the wise men, guided by a celestial sign, should have been a cause for celebration, a confirmation of God’s promises, but instead, it provoked fear and suspicion, a threat to the established power structure. Sr. White elaborates, “Such was the Saviour’s reception when He came to the earth. There seemed to be no place of rest or safety for the infant Redeemer. God could not trust His beloved Son with men, even while carrying forward His work for their salvation” (The Desire of Ages, p. 67). She also notes, “Heaven and earth united to make His coming glorious, yet the greatest event of the ages found but a few to welcome it” (The Desire of Ages, p. 43). She continues explaining this concept by stating, “I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter!” (Early Writings, p. 71, 1882). And, “Do we, by our lives and holy conversation, show to those around us that we are looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who shall change these vile bodies and fashion them like unto His glorious body? I fear that we do not believe and realize these things as we should” (Early Writings, p. 110, 1882). “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:1, KJV). “And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation” (Luke 19:44, KJV). Simeon’s prophecy in the temple was both a blessing and a warning: “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35, KJV). This prophecy foreshadowed the division that Christ’s presence would cause, revealing the true intentions of people’s hearts, exposing the hypocrisy and self-righteousness that had taken root. Micah prophesied the very birthplace of the Messiah: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2, KJV). Despite this clear prophecy, many remained blind, their hearts closed to the truth. And Isaiah declared, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, KJV). The sign was given, a miraculous sign, but the hearts were not ready, unwilling to believe, unwilling to surrender their preconceived notions, leading us to wonder: how did this spiritual battle intensify with direct assaults from Satan?

SATAN’S SAVAGE STRIKE!

From the very moment of His birth, Christ was under threat, a testament to the battle between good and evil, a battle that continues to this day. “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men” (Matthew 2:16, KJV). Herod’s brutal act of infanticide was a direct attack on the Messiah, orchestrated by Satan, the enemy of God and humanity. Sr. White states, “There seemed to be no place of rest or safety for the infant Redeemer. God could not trust His beloved Son with men, even while carrying forward His work for their salvation. He commissioned angels to attend Jesus and protect Him till He should accomplish His mission on earth, and die by the hands of those whom He came to save” (The Desire of Ages, p. 67). She adds, “But God permitted it all that the Savior might know the sorrow and suffering that humanity endures. Thus He became acquainted with the griefs of mankind, that He might be a faithful High Priest” (The Desire of Ages, p. 52). Further, she notes, “Satan was envious and jealous of Jesus Christ. Yet when all the angels bowed to Jesus to acknowledge his supremacy and high authority and rightful rule, Satan bowed with them; but his heart was filled with envy and hatred” (Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 18, 1870). This illustrates Satan’s constant opposition. Also, “At the birth of Christ, Satan saw the plains of Bethlehem illuminated with the brilliant glory of a multitude of heavenly angels. He heard their song, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” The prince of darkness saw the amazed shepherds filled with fear as they beheld the illuminated plains. They trembled before the exhibitions of bewildering glory which seemed to entrance their senses. The rebel chief himself trembled at the proclamation of the angel to the shepherds, “Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” He had met with good success in devising a plan to ruin men, and he had become bold and powerful. He had controlled the minds and bodies of men from Adam down to the first appearing of Christ” (Redemption, p. 26, 1874). “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15, KJV). “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12, KJV). This assault is foreshadowed in Revelation: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” (Revelation 12:1-4, KJV). This symbolic passage depicts the battle and Satan’s attempt to destroy Christ, to thwart God’s plan of salvation from the very beginning. We are also reminded: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8, KJV) This verse illustrates the ever-present danger and the warfare that surrounds us, a constant reminder of the need for spiritual armor and vigilance, making us ponder: how did Christ demonstrate victory over such temptations in His ministry?

TEMPTATION TRIUMPH IN DESERT!

Christ’s public ministry began with a profound test in the wilderness, a confrontation with Satan that demonstrated His divine authority and reliance on Scripture. This was a pivotal moment, a showdown between the forces of light and darkness. Satan challenged His divinity, tempting Him to misuse His power, to take shortcuts, to doubt God’s plan, but Jesus responded decisively with the Word of God: “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4, KJV). This was not just a personal victory for Jesus; it was a demonstration of how we can overcome temptation through the power of Scripture, through the living Word of God. Sr. White powerfully affirms, “Satan had questioned whether Jesus was the Son of God. In his summary dismissal he had proof that he could not gainsay. Divinity flashed through suffering humanity. Satan had no power to resist the command. Writhing with humiliation and rage, he was forced to withdraw from the presence of the world’s Redeemer” (The Desire of Ages, p. 130). She further notes, “Christ came to teach men that strength is found in unwavering trust in God” (The Desire of Ages, p. 123). Adding to the significance of this victory, she explains, “Christ’s divine soul was exercised with infinite pity for the fallen pair. As their wretched, helpless condition came up before him, and as he saw that by transgression of God’s law they had fallen under the power and control of the prince of darkness, he proposed the only means that could be acceptable with God, that would give them another trial, and place them again on probation. Christ consented to leave his honor, his kingly authority, his glory with the Father, and humble himself to humanity, and engage in contest with the mighty prince of darkness, in order to redeem man” (Redemption, p. 14, 1874). This applies Christ’s victory to our own daily struggles. And “Satan’s temptations succeed with the professed followers of Christ on the point of indulgence of pleasure and appetite. Clothed as an angel of light he will quote Scripture to justify the temptations he places before men to indulge the appetite, and in worldly pleasures which suit the carnal heart. The professed followers of Christ are weak in moral power, and are fascinated with the bribe which Satan has presented before them, and he gains the victory” (Redemption, p. 71, 1874). This gives a practical blueprint. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, KJV). “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, KJV). Jesus’ response to each temptation was a quote from Deuteronomy: “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” (Deuteronomy 8:3, KJV). He also quoted, “Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.” (Deuteronomy 6:16, KJV). And finally, “Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.” (Deuteronomy 6:13). Each response was a powerful affirmation of God’s authority and a rebuke to Satan’s lies, a demonstration of the power of God’s Word to overcome temptation and deception, inviting us to consider: how can we make room for this victorious King in our lives today?

ROOM FOR ROYAL REIGN!

The narrative of Christ’s rejection is not merely a historical account; it’s a mirror reflecting our own spiritual condition. It challenges us to examine our priorities and ask ourselves whether we are truly making room for the King in our lives, in our hearts, in our daily routines. Sr. White reminds us, “The heart must be purified from all self-seeking; the Lord cannot be served acceptably by any whose interests are centered upon themselves” (The Desire of Ages, p. 550). Are we so preoccupied with the cares of this world, with our own ambitions and desires, that we have no room for Christ, no time for prayer, no desire for His Word? The call is clear: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, KJV). This verse calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus, to emulate His example of self-sacrifice and obedience, to make Him the center of our lives. We must recognize, as Sr. White says, that “We are living in the closing scenes of this earth’s history. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time—not a moment—to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no one say in his heart or by his works: ‘My lord delayeth his coming.’” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 8, p. 252). And, she writes, “The question for us to consider is, Are we individually, as professing Christians, keeping our lamps trimmed and burning? Are we waiting and watching for the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?” (Review and Herald, November 19, 1895). These are pressing questions for us today. “But what do we give up, when we give all? A sin-polluted heart, for Jesus to purify, to cleanse by His own blood, and to save by His matchless love. And yet men think it hard to give up all! I am ashamed to hear it spoken of, ashamed to write it” (Steps to Christ, p. 46, 1892). “The true, joyous life of the soul is to have Christ formed within, the hope of glory” (Steps to Christ, p. 46, 1892). We should also remember: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33, KJV). This is a promise and a challenge. Are we prioritizing the Kingdom of God, seeking His will, living for His glory, or are we chasing after the fleeting pleasures of this world, seeking our own satisfaction? And, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20, KJV). This powerful image of Christ knocking at the door of our hearts is a constant invitation to fellowship with Him, a reminder that He desires a personal relationship with each one of us. He doesn’t force His way in; He waits for us to open the door, to welcome Him into the innermost chambers of our being. “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in” (Psalm 24:7, KJV). “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV). The story of Christ’s arrival and subsequent rejection is not an ancient tale relegated to the history books; it is an ongoing call to transformation, a living challenge to each generation. It’s a story that repeats itself in every heart that chooses the world over God, the temporal over the eternal. Sr. White writes, “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69). He desires to dwell within us, to transform us from the inside out, to make us reflections of His love and grace, but He will not force His way in. He respects our free will, our choice. She continues this theme, encouraging us, “Let the love of Christ be the burden of the message from every minister of the gospel. Not controversy, not criticism, not denunciation, but love—the love of God, the love of Christ, the love that brought Him from the royal throne, from the honor and majesty of heaven, to die a shameful death upon the cross.” (Gospel Workers, p. 471). This love is what should motivate us, compel us. And further, “Let us today make a full surrender to God. We cannot retain anything that we have. We are the Lord’s, and all that we have is to be used to His glory. Let us give ourselves to Him, to be wholly His, in thought, in word, and in deed.” (Manuscript Releases, Vol. 19, p. 296). This is the true welcoming. Let us not repeat the innkeeper’s mistake, the mistake of a world too full of itself to recognize its Saviour, too busy with its own affairs to notice the King standing at the door. Instead, may our lives be open mangers, humble and receptive, ready to cradle the King of Kings, ready to receive His love, His grace, and His transforming power. May we be like the wise men, who, despite the distance and the difficulty, sought Him out and worshipped Him. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”(John 1:14 KJV). May we truly behold this glory, not just with our physical eyes, but with the eyes of faith, recognizing His presence in our lives and in the world around us. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, KJV). May we accept this invitation of rest, this promise of peace, by surrendering our lives to Him, by allowing Him to be the Lord of our lives, not just in word, but in deed. May we make room for the King, not just at Christmas, but every day of our lives.

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REJECTED REDEEMER’S RISE!

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