- [00:00:00] So, there was a little girl whose parents took her to buy a doll from a toy shop. The shop had all kinds of dolls—flashy dolls, cute teddy bears, flamboyant unicorns, and even an option to build your own toy. But this girl, as she looked around, found a doll in one corner of the store, on a corner shelf, that appeared like it had been there for a while. It was faded, a bunny doll with a drooping ear, missing an eye. - [00:00:50] The girl picked up the doll, surprising her parents who asked why she didn’t choose a newer, nicer one that might last longer. The girl replied, \"I feel sad for this doll. It looks like no one has picked it. The bunny looks sad, and I want it to be mine.\" She gave the bunny a name, and it became her favorite doll that she cherished for the rest of her life. - [00:01:32] Today’s story, magnified, reflects what Jesus did and why He came into this world. He came for those who are rejected, those in shame, and those burdened by unbearable guilt. Today’s sermon might be a little heavy and longer than usual, but the prayer team will be available at the end to help us. I encourage you to listen with your hearts rather than just your minds because I believe God will do a deep work of healing in all of us. - [00:02:16] We are journeying through the Bible, now in the New Testament. Last week, we saw how Jesus brought in the new covenant and explained how we can enter into a covenantal relationship with Him. Unlike Moses, who came with the law, Jesus expanded and internalized the law, showing us we cannot attain God through the law but need grace—grace upon grace that He came to give. Jesus is building a new kingdom, a new kind of king, inviting us to enter into this relationship. - [00:03:02] Today, especially from the Gospel of John, we will focus on what happened to Jesus. The sermon is titled \"Love Wins: How Christ’s Love Overcame Rejection, Covered Our Shame, and Canceled Our Guilt.\" This sums up the heart of the Christian faith and the gospel—the good news for every person. Though Jesus came for His covenant people, many did not embrace Him. - [00:03:43] First, we look at how Christ’s love overcame rejection. John 19:12-16 says that Pilate sought to release Jesus, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar\'s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” Pilate brought Jesus out and declared, “Behold your king.” The crowd shouted, “Crucify him!” The chief priests said, “We have no king but Caesar.” So Jesus was delivered to be crucified. - [00:04:58] This passage is filled with hatred, coming not from strangers but His own covenant people—those who had just celebrated Him entering Jerusalem with “Hosanna.” These were the closest to Jesus, yet they rejected Him at the worst possible time—the Passover. - [00:05:50] Why did they reject Jesus? Two main reasons emerge. First, Jesus made an exclusive claim to be king, opposing Caesar. He declared himself the King and God by making the seven “I am” statements in John’s Gospel, equating himself with Yahweh. This exclusivity was repulsive to them—they saw it as arrogant and narrow-minded. - [00:07:17] Many today share this posture toward Jesus, viewing Christianity as narrow-minded because it claims to be the only way. The problem isn\'t Jesus’ claim but what people associate with kingship—a history of tyrants and oppressors. People fear losing autonomy and freedom under a king, which colors their rejection of Jesus. - [00:09:25] But Jesus is not a king like worldly kings. He’s a gentle king who rode on a donkey, not a horse. His kingdom is not about power or glory but peace and freedom. He invites the weary to come to Him for rest, but this requires humility—admitting we have nothing to offer and need help. This is hard because it cuts against human pride, especially in our achievement-oriented culture. - [00:10:41] The second reason for rejection is that Jesus was not the kind of king people wanted. They desired a powerful Caesar-like ruler who could conquer and give them glory, not a servant king born in a manger to a teenage mother, with a ragtag group of fishermen as disciples. Jesus called His followers to take up their cross and share in His suffering, not just glory. This was unacceptable. - [00:14:32] Why crucifixion? Crucifixion was the most humiliating and scandalous punishment in the Roman Empire, reserved for the worst criminals and terrorists. It was designed to erase a person’s memory, to make it as if they never existed. This is the level of rejection Jesus faced—from His own people. John says, “He came unto his own, but his own received him not.” - [00:16:40] Rejection is painful, especially from those close to us. Many know the wounds from harsh words spoken by parents or loved ones that linger for years. These words cut deep and are hard to forget. Parents, be careful with your words. Children remember them forever. - [00:18:24] Rejection can also happen in schools, workplaces, or marriages. Feelings of exclusion and being unwanted are common human experiences. For those who feel rejected, Jesus understands. He experienced ultimate rejection and still offers comfort and acceptance. - [00:19:44] Pilate, though perhaps reluctantly, recognized Jesus as king. God has always invited His people into covenantal relationship, but many reject Him for the same reasons—they want a god of power and convenience, not a suffering servant. - [00:20:24] Have you rejected God or others because of differences? Our culture is marked by “cancel culture,” where even small differences lead to rejection. We often want to crucify a Jesus who doesn’t always heal or solve our problems. But Jesus came for those who feel unworthy and rejected—He embraces the poor in spirit. - [00:21:53] 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 reminds us that God chooses the foolish, weak, low, and despised to shame the wise and strong. Jesus’ lineage includes Rahab, a prostitute, and Ruth, a Moabite—both marginalized and despised. The love of Christ overcomes rejection and hatred. - [00:24:14] If God wanted to convince the Roman world, He wouldn\'t have allowed His Son’s crucifixion. Yet the early Christians boldly proclaimed that the crucified man was the Son of God and King of kings, surpassing Caesar. This radical love won the world through the power of Christ’s love. - [00:24:53] If you feel rejected or powerless, remember Jesus experienced the same. What others say about you doesn’t matter; what Jesus says about you does. - [00:25:37] Next, we see how Christ’s love overcame shame. When Jesus was crucified, the soldiers divided His garments but did not tear His seamless tunic, fulfilling scripture. Jesus was likely crucified naked, a great source of shame in an oriental culture. - [00:26:18] Jesus experienced shame in the deepest way—exposed and humiliated for hours. Shame is different from guilt; it’s a feeling of being unacceptable, exposed, or worthless. In our culture, shame is powerful and often hidden because we fear exposure. - [00:28:26] Dr. Walsh defines shame as the deep sense that you’re unacceptable because of something you did, something done to you, or something associated with you. Shame involves feeling exposed, humiliated, disgraced, or treated as less than human. - [00:29:52] Shame can be experienced in three ways: being ignored or shunned, being exposed and stared at, or feeling worthless in the eyes of those who matter. Shame often starts externally but becomes internalized, leading us to believe “I am not acceptable.” - [00:31:31] Shame differs from guilt. Guilt is legal and forensic—it recognizes wrongdoing and calls for forgiveness and punishment. Shame is broader, communal, and life-dominating. It says, “You don’t belong” and “You’re unclean.” It can be stubborn and persistent. - [00:33:48] Shame began in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were naked but unashamed before sin entered. After the fall, nakedness brought shame, and they hid from God and each other. This separation shows how deep and lasting shame is. - [00:35:18] If you carry shame, know that Jesus experienced profound shame too. Yet in His shame, He cared for others—He entrusted His mother to John’s care, covering her shame even at His darkest hour. Jesus is willing to cover your shame as well. - [00:37:39] Many biblical figures experienced shame—Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel were childless, which brought public shame. Hagar was cast into the desert but seen by God. Bathsheba, after being raped, lived with shame, yet her son Solomon was a great king, and Jesus came from her lineage. Mary, an unwed teen mother, carried deep shame but was chosen by God. - [00:41:53] Jesus not only covers our shame but gives us His glory. Hebrews 12:2 says, “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame.” The first step to healing shame is naming it, sharing it, and rejecting its lies with gospel truth. - [00:43:12] A song titled \"A New Name Written Down in Glory\" captures this beautifully: “I am who I am because the I am tells me who I am.” Your identity comes from God, not from others or yourself or Satan. This truth is liberating and foundational to healing shame. - [00:44:58] Finally, Christ’s love overcomes guilt. After Jesus said, “I thirst,” He declared, “It is finished,” and gave up His spirit. Guilt, the shame we feel because of our own wrongdoings, must be addressed and forgiven. Jesus bore the full force of sin on the cross, absorbing God’s wrath on our behalf, so we can be declared righteous. - [00:47:08] The cross is the scandal that saves. Jesus’ love overcame rejection, shame, and guilt. The song concludes with a triumphant declaration of new life, freedom, and victory through Christ. - [00:49:00] As we close, let us reflect Christ’s love in a world filled with hatred. It’s easy to give money to someone in need, but Jesus gave everything—His life for those who had lost themselves. - [00:49:45] I want to share a story of grace and redemption. On Mother’s Day, May 9th, 1982, Deb Shuring gave birth to Andrea, a premature baby who passed away shortly after birth. A year later, on the same day, Deb gave birth to David, who also died shortly after. These losses inspired Deb and her husband Mike to start fostering babies. Over 23 years, Deb held her 100th foster baby. - [00:52:24] This story exemplifies grace and redemption. God calls us to love the lost and rejected. If you feel called to foster or adopt, that is a deeply Christlike act. We are all adopted into God’s family—He saw us lost and dark and chose to bring us in. - [00:53:36] We partner with organizations like Help One Child, who care for vulnerable children. Even small steps, like helping in a kids’ club or neighborhood outreach, can reflect Christ’s love. - [00:54:18] If you carry shame or guilt, healing is possible. Join us for prayer after the service. Sharing your burden is the first step toward freedom. If you struggle with sin, come to Jesus for forgiveness and grace. - [00:54:56] If you remain skeptical about Jesus, consider this: No other king cares for the rejected like He does. No other God pursues the vulnerable and lost. Would you be willing to open your heart and get to know the real Jesus? Read the Gospel of John with a friend and discover who He truly is. Millions have changed their lives by encountering Jesus through Scripture. - [00:55:28] You don’t have to remain a skeptic. I challenge and plead with you to consider Jesus and the love that overcame rejection, shame, and guilt for you.