11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Key Observation:
The king of the world is rejected by both the world and his own Jews.
Devotion:
It is altogether remarkable that the Light of the world should be shunned by the world. The wickedness of man hides the grace of God; I know from Scripture that I would be unable to come to God except He give me much more than the light mirrored in mankind. “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” (J. 6:24) “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.” (Ro. 1:18,19) So evidently the light which is in man is sufficient for God to hold men responsible. But in this passage, the Scripture tells me that He was in the world for us to see, acknowledge, and bow before. What did the world do instead? They crucified Him.
I notice that verse 10 tells us that the world was made by Jesus, which makes those who would take Him away from the Godhead altogether more ridiculous. Remember that some would translate verse one as “a” God, notwithstanding all the other verses evident in this chapter that affirm the deity of Christ.
The conundrum here is that even his “own” reject Him. Those who should have proclaimed him king before the world were guilty of despising the Son. I think Israel spiritually died after rejecting their own king; statistics tell us that the Jewish people have significantly more atheists as part of their population than any other peoples. The Bible is clear when it tells us that one day the Jewish people will see the Messiah coming for them and will turn back to Him. On that day, the world also will be turned toward Him.
But as many as received Him. The offer was to the world, even as Jesus saw and knew the hearts of men. Does not the verses prior to this show that He knows our hearts? Nevertheless, the promise is to “as many as”. Belief is the only cost of being saved. Refusal to belief brings the judgment of God—a judgment that is just since “what may be known about God is plain to them.” Abraham believed God and it was reckoned unto him as righteousness. By faith we all must be saved, for certainly there is nothing within ourselves able to save. In reminding ourselves of the grace of God in our election, and knowing that no one can come unless he be called, we would do well to remind ourselves that NOT one man enters heaven without also believing. Somehow the great doctrine of election and the believing power of man work together, but in a harmony of which God only understands.
The answer to the question, what must I do to be saved, has for two thousand years been the same: “Believe”. But without faith it is impossible to please God. Consider carefully the claims of Christ—and pray that God will open your eyes, that seeing the truth you might believe. To them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe in His name. Ask that you might receive. Jesus promises that he who comes to me I will in no wise case out.
What a wonderful promise! We serve an awesome God, a God who is always victorious. We know that one day we shall live and stand before Him, who is the Word, the Light, the Good Shepherd, and the Bread of Life.
Great Big Wonderful God
We've got a great big wonderful God
A great big wonderful God
A God who's always victorious
Always watching over us
Great big wonderful God
We've got a great big wonderful God
A great big wonderful God
A God that loves every one of us
Done so much for all of us
Great big wonderful God
He never, never, never leaves us
He's always standing by
To pick us up when we stumble
We're the apple of his eye
We've got a great big wonderful God
A great big wonderful God
Oh what a glory it is to sing
Praises to the coming King
Great big wonderful God
Our Great Big Wonderful God
No comments:
Post a Comment