He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Isaiah 53:3, LSB
As we remember the Cross and the death of our Lord, this is a verse that is commonly raised. Our Lord knew grief and rejection. He felt the rejection of those whom He was trying to reach. This rejection our Lord felt throughout history, beginning in the Garden of Eden and with His chosen people, Israel. The heart of man always seems to pursue idols, but our Lord never completely turns away from His chosen. I have known the grief of being rejected and betrayed by people that I had invested so much of myself in. The pain of having one that you once called a friend despising you is pointed, and it cuts deep. This our Lord felt and continues to feel as there are those who still reject Him, and the grief He bears is for all of His creation. Yet, He still receives us with open arms and offers us forgiveness for it all. As we walk with Him, we may also face rejection, but it is in our esteem for Him that we will find our joy.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.