Rejection of Love

Have you ever loved someone who instead of returning your love turned his/her back on you? It is a very painful experience. This thought sparked the idea for this post. How must it have been for Jesus? He gave up everything, including His life, to save this fallen and miserable human race. He risked eternity for our sake, and endured trials so great that we can't truly comprehend them. Yet what was His reward? He was accused of blasphemy, ridiculed and despised. He was alone in this world because not even his closest friends understood His mission. He was spat in the face and beaten mercilessly. As the grand finale of rejection, they nailed the Creator of the universe on a cross. And today He is still being rejected and laughed at by thousands of unbelievers. Human beings who owe every breath to God, arrogantly claim that they don't need Him. Oh how this must pierce the Father's heart. His love is a perfect love. His love is so deep that we can only catch a glimpse. If our sinful, selfish human hearts experience pain upon rejection of our tainted love, how much more must Jesus' heart ache when a precious purchase of His blood rejects His sacrifice.
Oh that we may ever keep this in mind!