Jesus was despised and rejected by men. At His baptism there could have been no greater confirmation – the literal voice of God – as proof that He is the “Chosen One”, the Messiah. And yet, once He began His ministry, John the Baptist who baptized Jesus, asked “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3). How hurtful these words must have been for Jesus to hear. Jesus’ own generation rejected Him (Matthew 11:16-19), and the first three cities in which He ministered rejected Him (Matthew 11:20-24). After pronouncing “woes” upon those cities, Jesus’ response was gratitude to the Father for those “babes” who had received the good news (Matthew 11:25-27), and compassion for those who needed it (Matthew 11:28-30). He said “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” If you ask me, Jesus’ thankful and compassionate response to His rejection is the incarnation – the fleshing out – of His previous words in Matthew 11:19, “…wisdom is justified by her children.” These words came right on the heels of His “woes”. What did He mean? Sometimes the fruit of our best efforts in ministry is our spiritual growth, and nothing else. Sometimes as we labor and minister, God’s intention is to change our hearts, not theirs. When we give our best and no one seems to care? Or worse, when they outright reject us? If the positive change in your heart is the only perceivable result, then that was God’s aim all along. As for the recipients, having a child doesn’t happen at the point of conception. It takes 9 months of growing and patiently waiting. The growth of a seed into a mature, fruit-bearing plant doesn’t happen overnight. It takes weeks or even months to produce visible fruit. In the same way, the sinner who rejects you today may have a change of heart in 30, 60, or 90 days. In the meantime, remember that if they rejected Jesus, they will reject you (John 15:18-19), “But wisdom is justified by her children.” Your measured, grateful and compassionate response to rejection is the wisdom that in time will produce positive fruit, even if that fruit is simply inside you. Jesus’ response to John the Baptist’s question, “…blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Matthew 11:6), applies as much to the preacher as to the hearer. Don’t lose heart when you are rejected because of Jesus. Paul said in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Play the long game. Run with endurance. Pursue Jesus well, and leave the results to Him.