Those who reject Jesus

Even though Jesus taught with wisdom, causing many people to listen and be amazed, and even though He healed many sick people with His power, for those who rejected Him, He was simply "the son of Mary, the carpenter, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon," and they also said, "Are not His sisters here with us?"  To them, Jesus responded, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own town, among his relatives, and in his own home."  Because of their lack of faith, He could do no miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them (Mark 6:2-5).  By rejecting Jesus, these people were also rejecting God the Father, who sent Him (Luke 10:16).  The reason they rejected Jesus was because they did not believe in Him (Mark 6:6).  Even today, those who do not believe in Jesus and reject Him also reject Christians who believe in Him and completely reject Christianity itself (Ref.: Acts 28:22).  Some even go so far as to reject Christian family members who believe in Jesus, and they persecute them.  When reflecting on those saints who, like Jesus, are rejected for their faith, even by their beloved family members, and who suffer persecution, I am reminded of the first verse of the hymn “Faith of Our Fathers”: “Faith of our fathers! living still In spite of dungeon, fire and sword; O how our hearts beat high with joy Whene'er we hear God's glorious Word: Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to Thee till death.”