He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him (John 1:10-11 NIV).
Have you ever given a gift to someone, only to have them refuse it—unopened? I have. Nothing else stabs the heart in quite the same way.
For a gift to be a blessing it must be received. And to reject a gift is to deny a blessing to both
the giver and receiver alike.
God became one of us. “He came to that which was his own” (John 1:11). But He was not received for the Gift that He is.
BibleHub defines the Greek metaphor for “receive,” paralambano, in this way: “To accept or acknowledge one to be such as he professes to be; not to reject; not to withhold obedience.” Paralambano is to “admit or acknowledge; to show strong personal initiative.”
To receive is to believe.
By faith, receive Jesus into your heart . . . your life. Act on the opportunities He provides by taking the initiative to admit Jesus is Who He says He is and acknowledge He is the Messiah promised of God.
The welcome awaiting the arrival of Jesus was initiated by heaven itself, when angels appeared to shepherds with the message of good news and glad tidings. Mary and Joseph believed . . . but His siblings did not. Those He healed believed . . . but the religious leaders did not. He was refused and rejected. Mocked and scorned. And, in the end, abused and executed.
“But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God” (John 1:12, emphasis mine). To receive Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, is to receive even more gifts than a merciful and compassionate Lord. It is to be “born of God” – yet another gift for the receiving. There is a bounty of gifts to be received for receiving Jesus—which we’ll continue to unwrap in the days ahead.
Heavenly Father, I believe Jesus is all Scripture proclaims, and is all-sufficient for salvation. I humbly receive Your Gift with profound gratitude and joy. Make my faith unwavering and my loyalty sure.
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