Life is a journey and a test and we are called to a life of victory. That is when we fulfill the reason for which God sent us to the earth or, otherwise, fail to fulfill His purpose for our lives. It is a call to fulfill divine assignment, a call to greatness.

The path to prominence or successful living entails a call to greatness, making tough choices with early successes, significant setbacks - and even failure; and, finally, triumph as the great achiever integrates back into society bearing life lessons and benefits.

This path is typified by the classic model of departure-initiation-return and is one that all great leadership follows.

The middle phase before victory is the testing phase. It is what is usually called the "wilderness experience" and is common to all great leaders.

The life of Jesus, especially the last few days before His glorious resurrection, compresses this model of departure-initiation-return. His story is not just history - it is a pattern for every believer's life.

Many on this path are currently in the Good Friday season. You've been rejected by society, betrayed by false friends and envious colleagues, painfully and ignorantly mocked by those whom you're fighting for, buried by the powerful and conspiratorial circumstances of life. When it seems as though you've been buried, you've actually been planted - like a seed!

I came to announce to you today — Sunday is coming! Germination is coming, when the plant that has developed from the seed that died, breaks out through the surface of the soil and blossoms into new life, just as Jesus burst out from the depths of the grave and hell and resurrected into Newness of Life. 

If God did it for Jesus, He can do it for you too.

I. REJECTION — IT MEANS YOU ARE STILL CHOSEN

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him" - John 1:11

“He was despised and rejected by mankind…” - Isaiah 53:3

He was rejected by:

His own people, His hometown, the Religious leaders of the day.

He was rejected even before He was born.

His conception was surrounded by suspicion and misunderstanding. A young woman engaged to be married was found pregnant — not by her fiancé, but by the Holy Spirit. What looked like scandal was actually prophecy unfolding.

Centuries earlier, it had been declared:

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” — Book of Isaiah 7:14

But prophecy does not always remove pressure.

Imagine the emotional turmoil. A man who had not been intimate with his wife-to-be suddenly finds her pregnant. Naturally, the first instinct would be disappointment, confusion — even rejection.

“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” — Gospel of Matthew 1:19

Before angels explained.

Before shepherds rejoiced.

Before wise men worshipped.

There was the pain of potential rejection.

Heaven had to intervene:

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” — Gospel of Matthew 1:20

What earth misunderstood, heaven clarified.

And even at birth, rejection followed Him:

“She gave birth to her firstborn, a son… and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” — Gospel of Luke 2:7

No room at the inn.

No applause at His arrival.

No palace for the King.

Even in the womb, He faced the shadow of dismissal.

Even at birth, He encountered exclusion.

And yet — what looked scandalous was sovereign.

What looked shameful was supernatural.

What looked like rejection was actually divine selection.

If your beginning was misunderstood…

If your origin was questioned…

If people misjudged your story before hearing heaven’s explanation…

Remember this:

God can wrap glory in controversy.

Prophecy will outlive rejection.

Purpose will survive suspicion.

Rejection does not mean you are disqualified.

Sometimes God allows rejection to redirect you. If they reject you, it often means you carry something great; don’t break — build.

II. BETRAYAL — STAY COMPOSED

Judas betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver - Matthew 26:14–16

“Even my close friend… has turned against me” - Psalm 41:9

Betrayal often comes from the inside, from those whom we trust the most, from those who know us best - our humble beginnings, our weaknesses and our secrets.

Sometimes it is from them that the deepest wounds come, form those closest to you.

But Jesus did not lose control.

“Friend, do what you came for" - Matthew 26:50

It is imperative that when we're betrayed, we

don’t become bitter.

Don’t seek revenge.

Don’t lose your assignment.

Betrayal may shake you, but it cannot stop you.

III. CRUCIFIXION — YOUR CROSS IS NOT YOUR END

“There they crucified him…” - Luke 23:33

They mocked Him.

They beat Him.

They humiliated Him publicly.

There are seasons when life feels like a cross: A virtual permanence of public embarrassment, financial pressure, political attacks and

family struggles.

But hear this: The cross comes before the crown. No Mount Calvary, no Mount Zion.

IV. DEATH — WHEN IT LOOKS FINISHED

“It is finished” - John 19:30

When Jesus uttered these triumphant words that sounded like defeat, His disciples thought all hope was gone. The dream looked buried.

Some of you are standing at a grave:

Looking at the rear end of a vision that looks dead. Contemplating the broken pieces of a failed business. Or weeping over a broken relationship.

But what looks finished may only be planted. God buries seeds, not destinies.

V. RESURRECTION — THE TURNAROUND

“He is not here; He has risen!” - Matthew 28:6

The stone was rolled away. The grave was empty. Victory spoke louder than death.

“Thanks be to God!" - He gives us the victory…1 Corinthians 15:57

This is how the cookie crumbles: In the end, rejection didn’t win.

Betrayal didn’t have the last laugh.

The cross didn’t triumph.

Death was defeated.

And, oh yes, Resurrection won!

If you're in your Good Friday phase — hold on. If you're caught in your silent Saturday stage — don’t quit.

Victory Sunday is coming.

Your rejection is not permanent.

Your betrayal is not fatal.

Your cross is not final.

Your grave is not your destination.

From rejection to Resurrection - God always has the last word - and echoing last laugh!