Anthony was a well-known monk who became known for his close relationship with God, for fighting demons, and for his enduring wisdom. People would journey for days to find him and get his advice.

One of those people was Abba Pambo. Over the course of their conversation, Anthony said this: “A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad, you are not like us.’”*

You may want to read that again. 

Granted, if someone says that about you make sure that you are in fact thinking straight. A good litmus test is to ensure you are acting with humility and love, and that you are being consistent with Scripture. If not, make some changes. If so, you may be facing push-back, criticism or rejection because of your beliefs or lifestyle. 

But Jesus helps us re-frame how we think about rejection. He faced a lot of it. 

When he preached in his hometown of Nazareth, Mark 6:3 says “they took offense at him.” And “they” weren’t just a bunch of strangers. These were his own people, including his own immediate family. “A prophet is not without honor,” he replied, “except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home” (verse 4).

Here’s the thing. Jesus cared more about doing his Father’s will than he did about what others thought of him. He came to teach about God’s kingdom. He came to bring good news, to heal, to liberate, and to forgive. He cared more about those things than he did about the naysayers.

And that’s incredibly liberating. For him, and for you. 

When you face push-back, criticism or rejection because of your beliefs or lifestyle in the footsteps of Jesus, it’s hard. It get it. That’s why prayer, a church family, rest, and the right supports go a long way.

In and through it all an earnest desire to do God’s will first (not second or third or fourth), starts to shrink the sting of rejection. 

“A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad, you are not like us.’”

That’s okay. Our job isn’t to be like them—it’s to be like Jesus, even when people think we’re mad.

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Notes:

–“Dealing with Rejection.” Sermon. December 1, 2024. Click here.

–*Benedicta Ward, trans., The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (London & Oxford: Mowbrays, 1975), 2-5.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.