To All Who Received Him
Waiting for Light to Come | Erik Reed
HE CAME TO HIS OWN, AND HIS OWN PEOPLE DID NOT RECEIVE HIM. BUT TO ALL WHO DID RECEIVE HIM, WHO BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD, WHO WERE BORN, NOT OF BLOOD NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD. JOHN 1:11-13 (ESV)
The coming of Jesus included a mission. It had purpose. Sin had brought wreckage and ruin to the world. Humanity suffered under slavery of sin, the power of Satan, and afflictions from a broken creation. Our universe itself groaned under sin’s curse.
The Word from the beginning, who was with God and was God (John 1:1) came into the world (John 1:14). The eternal Son of God, who was a spirit and did not have a body like us, became flesh. Mary’s womb contained the eternal Son of God. Jesus’ cries at birth was the voice of the One who formed vocal cords, eardrums, and sound waves (John 1:3).
Our passage today tells us about the coming of the Light of the world, and man’s response to it. John tells us He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. The nation of Israel is in view. He came to His own (the Jews), but they did not receive Him. In another sense, He came to His own, the people of the world, and not all received Him. The reason the world is His own is because He created it (John 1:3).
What does John mean by “receive Him ”? He is speaking about faith. To receive Christ is to take Him in on His terms. He is the perfect sacrifice for sins. Jesus is the Great High Priest who is the mediator between God and man. He is Lord of all and claims rights over our beliefs, actions, and hearts. To receive Him is to say “yes ” to His terms of being your Lord.
Not all received Him. But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. Believing in His name is to agree with the angel’s words to Joseph “you shall call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). To believe in His name is to believe He will save you from your sins. Everyone who believes in His name becomes a child of God. God’s covenant people receive entry into this family through faith and belief in Jesus. This is the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
The last lines are crucial for understanding how this covenant is different. The children of God are now born by faith, not by bloodlines connected to the right tribe or people, not by the will of man’s flesh to try harder or do better, but by God. God’s power supplies the change of heart (Ezekiel 36:26) needed to believe. This is the work of God (Ephesians 2:4-5). Have you received Him? Many harden their hearts and walk in their sins. Ask God to fuel your heart with desire to receive Him. To all who receive Him and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God.
Questions for Reflection
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
HE CAME TO HIS OWN, AND HIS OWN PEOPLE DID NOT RECEIVE HIM. BUT TO ALL WHO DID RECEIVE HIM, WHO BELIEVED IN HIS NAME, HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD, WHO WERE BORN, NOT OF BLOOD NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, BUT OF GOD. JOHN 1:11-13 (ESV)
The coming of Jesus included a mission. It had purpose. Sin had brought wreckage and ruin to the world. Humanity suffered under slavery of sin, the power of Satan, and afflictions from a broken creation. Our universe itself groaned under sin’s curse.
The Word from the beginning, who was with God and was God (John 1:1) came into the world (John 1:14). The eternal Son of God, who was a spirit and did not have a body like us, became flesh. Mary’s womb contained the eternal Son of God. Jesus’ cries at birth was the voice of the One who formed vocal cords, eardrums, and sound waves (John 1:3).
Our passage today tells us about the coming of the Light of the world, and man’s response to it. John tells us He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. The nation of Israel is in view. He came to His own (the Jews), but they did not receive Him. In another sense, He came to His own, the people of the world, and not all received Him. The reason the world is His own is because He created it (John 1:3).
What does John mean by “receive Him ”? He is speaking about faith. To receive Christ is to take Him in on His terms. He is the perfect sacrifice for sins. Jesus is the Great High Priest who is the mediator between God and man. He is Lord of all and claims rights over our beliefs, actions, and hearts. To receive Him is to say “yes ” to His terms of being your Lord.
Not all received Him. But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. Believing in His name is to agree with the angel’s words to Joseph “you shall call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). To believe in His name is to believe He will save you from your sins. Everyone who believes in His name becomes a child of God. God’s covenant people receive entry into this family through faith and belief in Jesus. This is the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
The last lines are crucial for understanding how this covenant is different. The children of God are now born by faith, not by bloodlines connected to the right tribe or people, not by the will of man’s flesh to try harder or do better, but by God. God’s power supplies the change of heart (Ezekiel 36:26) needed to believe. This is the work of God (Ephesians 2:4-5). Have you received Him? Many harden their hearts and walk in their sins. Ask God to fuel your heart with desire to receive Him. To all who receive Him and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God.
Questions for Reflection
- What are some reasons Jesus’ own people did not receive Him? Who are His own people?
- What does it mean to receive Jesus?
- How can we encourage people to do that today?
- What kind of rights do we now have as children of God who have received Jesus?
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
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Merry Christmas CPC Family!
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