“saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.” Luke 9:22 HCSB

The more Jesus was talked about the more popular He became. The more popular he became the more the elders, chief priests, and scribes wanted to be rid of Him. As Jesus progressed through His ministry He got more and more crowds and the less and less He could spend time in the city. He became more and more an elusive figure. 

“Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But He was out in deserted places, and they would come to Him from everywhere.”
Mark 1:45 HCSB

“Then Thomas (called “Twin”) said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go so that we may die with Him.”
John 11:16 HCSB

“During the day, He was teaching in the temple complex, but in the evening He would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives.”
Luke 21:37 HCSB

There was no room for Jesus during His birth and the more He lived His life the fewer people would accept Him in their homes. He was popular but He was rejected. His final rejection was by the established church, the temple. 

“One of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! You’re not considering that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God. 

So from that day on they plotted to kill Him. Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews but departed from there to the countryside near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim. And He stayed there with the disciples.”
John 11:49-54 HCSB

Those of us who want to be accepted by men have to neglect God to do it. If we want to be accepted by God we must be willing to let some people go.

“Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy. Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously? But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
James 4:4-10 HCSB


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