The two preceding characteristics naturally result in this third. For
lowliness of condition and lack of qualities appealing to men's false
ideals will certainly lead to being 'despised and rejected.' The latter
expression is probably better taken, as in the margin of the Rev. Ver.
as 'forsaken.' But whichever meaning is adopted, what an Iliad of woes
is condensed into these two words! 'The spurns that patient merit of
the unworthy takes,' the loneliness of one who, in all the crowd
descries none to trust--these are the wages that the world ever gives
to its noblest, who live but to help it and be misunderstood by it, and
as these are the wages of all who with self-devotion would serve God by
serving the world for its good, they were paid in largest measure to
'_the_ Servant of the Lord.' His claims were ridiculed, His words of
wisdom thrown back on Himself; none were so poor but could afford to
despise Him as lower than they, His love was repulsed, surely He drank
the bitterest cup of contempt. All His life He walked in the solitude
of uncomprehended aims, and at His hour of extremest need appealed in
vain for a little solace of companionship, and was deserted by those
whom He trusted most. His was a lifelong martyrdom inflicted by men.
His was a lifelong solitude which was most utter at the last. And He
brought it all on Himself because He _would_ be God's Servant in being
men's Saviour.