Be Still and Know - "He Gave The Right To Become Children Of God"

(from www.premierchristianradio.com)

1. John 1:10-12
   
   
   
   
   'Jesus came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognise him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.'
   
   Rejection is always painful. If you meet a new group of people and feel unwelcome, it is an uncomfortable experience. But
   if you are rejected by those who are close to you it is particularly agonising. Many people have had the experience of being rejected by their parents, children or spouse. There is no way of simply brushing off such an experience; it hurts deeply and is likely to continue to have an impact on life for years to come. Our verses today speak of the pain that Jesus experienced in coming to the world that he had created with his Father and being rejected. Even though he came to the Jews, his own much-loved people, many had no time for him.
   
   But that wasn’t the end of the story. Although many rejected him, some people believed in him. In the Gospels, we see Jesus in regular conflict with the Pharisees, who were extremely committed Jews trying to live according to the letter of the Jewish law. Jesus had some extremely harsh words for them, but even they were not wholly opposed to Jesus. Nicodemus, who was one of their number, came to Jesus at night revealing his profound interest in Jesus’ teaching. Another, Joseph of Arimathea, was so devoted to Jesus that, after his crucifixion, he asked Pilate for the privilege of giving Jesus a decent burial in his own family tomb. And on that day of crucifixion, as the Romans carried out the brutal murder of Jesus, the centurion on duty concluded that Jesus was none other than the Son of God.
   
   
   
   
   
   Most people reject Jesus today, but not all. Even among people who would never think of attending church, there are those who have an interest in Jesus and a respect for his teaching. John spells out that the door is open to anyone who will believe in him. All that anyone needs to do is to believe in Jesus and, whatever their background, they become children of God, part of his eternal family.
   
   
   
   
   
   Question: How do you react to the fact that most people in your local community reject Jesus?
   
   Prayer: Loving God, thank you that you welcome everyone who believes in Jesus into your family. Amen