December 8

Scripture Reading

John 1:9-14

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 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. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Devotion

In this passage, the apostle John writes about some profound characteristics of Jesus.

Jesus was the true light that would give light to people who were walking in darkness.

Jesus was the Creator of the world into which He came.

Jesus was the only Son who had the appropriate glory of his Sonship.

Jesus was full of grace.

Jesus spoke the truth.

And yet,

the Jewish people did not receive him. The majority of the story in the gospels is about how “his own people” rejected Jesus, which eventually led to their clamouring for His death.

In contrast to those who rejected Him are those who received Him—his apostles and other disciples. The number of people who received Him was minuscule compared to those who rejected Him. Even at the birth of Jesus, only a handful of people received Him—small pockets of people in variegated settings.

Receiving Jesus is more than just a mental assent to his existence. When John wrote his gospel, it was after the other gospel writers (Mark, Matthew, and Luke) had written their accounts. John intentionally avoids using the nouns knowledge and belief. Instead, he uses the verbs knowing and believing since, for him, the focus is not on what one knows or believes but whom one knows and believes.

But to those who took the risk, chose to be in the minority, and received him, those who received the Lord as Lord, a profound privilege was given. God bestows a right (literally, a power) that cannot be obtained any other way.

It is easy to point to the Jews and wonder how they could have rejected their messiah—especially a Messiah such as this.

But, if Jesus came to our culture today and spoke a message that was counter to current thinking, would He be accepted? If the truth that Jesus spoke was different than our own established thinking, would we tolerate Him? If He showed love to those we disdain, would we embrace Him? If He showed grace to those we have judged, would we welcome Him?

This reminds me of a poem I read a long time ago

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do. Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest, And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best, And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have him there - That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.

But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly Visitor? And I wonder - if the Savior spent a day or two with you, Would you go right on doing the things you always do? Would you go right on saying the things you always say? Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace? And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace? Would you do the things you do and read the things you read, And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed. Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go? Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends? Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends? Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone? It might be interesting to know the things that you would do If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you.

This Christmas, like at the first Christmas, God is looking for groups of people who will, against their presuppositions, despite their traditions and contrary to their natural inclinations, receive him and believe that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. If God is the greatest being, then becoming a child of God is the greatest privilege.

Reflection

What would change if Jesus lived in your house?

What groups of people in your circle need to experience the light of Jesus in their world?

(for lyrics, please use closed captioning)

For a sermon on Doubt and Belief: See Scarred for Life

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Notes

Song: O Come All Ye Faithful, Passion ft. Melodie Malone

Scripture quotations are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Poem: - Lois Blanchard Eades, If Jesus Came To Your House (adapted)