Jesus’ Rejection by Herod, the Pharisees and His Own Brothers
Today’s post is the last part (Part 3) of our mini-series that looks at the rejection that Jesus faced.
Matt 14:1-12 relays the history of John the Baptist being killed by Herod. At first glance one may not take a lot of notice. However, we need to remember that John the Baptist was Jesus “forerunner.” He was the last of the Old Testament prophets. He was sent by God directly ahead of Jesus to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. John stands for what is right (Herod shouldn’t have his brother Phillips wife) and Herod hates him for it. When Herod kills John he is rejecting the values of the kingdom of heaven Herod kills Jesus’ chief servant. It is yet another rejection of Jesus’ values and ultimately a rejection of Himself. There is an interesting note in Matt 14:13 relative to Jesus hearing about John’s death; “When Jesus heard about what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” I can’t say that I understand all this, but it impacted Jesus. He moves to a different location.
You might think that Jesus was rejected only by Herod, the Jewish leaders and the general Galilean population. However, Jesus was also rejected by His own family. John 7:1-13 recounts how Jesus went to the Feast of Tabernacles (September to late October). Jesus’ brothers chime in and challenge Him, “You out to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do (John 7:3).” How the brothers feel about Jesus becomes only too clear in the next verse. “‘Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.’ For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.” Jesus’ own brothers rejected Him. They didn’t believe in Him and challenged His authenticity! (Interestingly James, one of the brothers, later becomes a follower of Jesus after He has died. See Galatians 1:19 where Paul refers to “… James, the Lord’s brother.” This same James is credited for writing the book of James in the New Testament.)
One of the most major rejections of Jesus occurs in John 8. The Pharisees can’t stand Jesus for multiple reasons of which jealousy and envy are chief (Pilate knew this – Mark 15:10, Matt 27:18 NKJV). Undoubtedly the Pharisees have sent their hirelings to Nazareth to try to learn more about Jesus and where He came from. One of the questions that arises time and time again is: “How did the man [Jesus] get such learning without having studied?” (John 7:15). The Pharisees have most probably learned that there was some question as to the identity of Jesus’ father. Mary became pregnant, but before Joseph and Mary could consummate the marriage. Who then was the real father of Jesus?
In John 6, Jesus has declared that He is the very bread of life. Without Him a person cannot continue to live. It is a galactic statement! The Jews are driven crazy by it. Then in John 8:12 He says it again in different words, “I am the light of the world.” The Pharisees attack Jesus because He is appearing as His own witness. Jesus declares that the Father [God] has sent Him and also witnesses about Him. Note the next question posed by the Pharisees: “Then they asked Him, ‘Where is your Father?’” (vs. 19)
It is a thinly veiled rejection of His parenthood… specifically related to His dad.
As the debate intensifies, Jesus declares that anyone who holds to His teaching will be set free from sin (vs. 31-38). The discussion involves Abraham. The Jewish leaders gravitate back to the fatherhood issues claiming that, “Abraham is our father…” (vs. 39). Jesus tells them that if they were Abraham’s true children they would not be trying to kill Him. The Jewish leaders intensely protest this, “We are not illegitimate children…” And therein lies the chief rejection of Jesus! They think He is a bastard child of Mary and some other man than Joseph. (I am not using that word as a swear word, but as an accurate and pointed word to reveal their accusation.)
The point is reiterated in verse 48, “The Jews answered Him, ‘aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon possessed?” A Samaritan in this case would refer to the “supposed” other man in Mary’s life who was the true father of Jesus. The Pharisees had no idea the Holy Spirit created the other DNA in Mary’s womb to produce a body for the One who had lived forever, Jesus. They reject Jesus at the deepest point possible, which is His identity.
Just to complete the picture regarding the rejection Jesus faced, do you remember the accusation of Satan as he tempted Jesus in the Desert? “The devil said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’” Satan attacks Jesus on the basis of His identity as God’s Son! (You can see this again in Luke 4:9). The Pharisees attack along the very same lines as Satan because they are his primary agents on the earth.
Jesus faced rejection all throughout His three and a half year public ministry. Herod rejects Jesus and His kingdom by killing Jesus’ chief servant and forerunner, John the Baptist. Jesus’ own brothers reject Jesus. The Pharisees reject Jesus based squarely on who fathered Him. This is the very rejection that Satan first spawned.
Take Away
God Is Just Like Jesus
As strange as it may seem, the rejection that Jesus experienced reveals the rejection that human beings direct towards God. Globally humans reject God, His grace and His values all day long, every day. The world’s nations and the history of mankind testify to humanities’ rejection of God. However, there are some, who respond to the Holy Spirit and become God’s sons and daughters through Jesus death on the cross. They accept what God says as true and come into greater and greater alignment with Him over time (repentance and sanctification).
1st Commandment Prayer
Jesus I am so grateful that you never gave up and quit in the face of continual rejection from leaders, from the general population, from Satan, from the Pharisees and even from your family! I would give up and quit in depression and despair. However, you kept going. You didn’t stop until you gave yourself over to torture and death as you absorbed the “just” or “right” punishment that human beings deserved for the evil we do. You absorbed this punishment for us in our place and thereby set us free to come back to God! You are eternally amazing!