Berean Standard Bible
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
To the beloved in Christ Jesus, scattered across nations yet united in spirit:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. May the Word, which was in the beginning and is still at work among us, guide and sustain us as we reflect on the richness of His truth.
Brothers and sisters, consider the weight of these words: "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him."
Our Savior, the eternal Word of God, stepped down from the glory of heaven to walk upon the soil of earth. He clothed Himself in humanity, bore our frailties, and entered into the very world He had fashioned with His hands. He came not as a conquering king surrounded by armies, but as a humble servant, bringing light to those dwelling in darkness and life to those perishing in sin. What greater act of love and condescension can we imagine?
Yet, those to whom He came—His own people, those who had been entrusted with the promises of God—turned away. They did not recognize the hour of their visitation. They rejected the One who fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, the One who was and is the cornerstone of salvation.
And here lies the profound paradox: in their rejection of the Messiah, the plan of redemption was brought to fruition. The rejection of Christ became the pathway to the cross, where He bore the sins of the world. His sufferings and death opened the floodgates of grace, so that even those who rejected Him might be drawn into His saving embrace.
Let us not rush past this truth. For do we not see ourselves reflected in the story of His own? How often have we missed the presence of God in our lives? How often have we resisted His voice when He sought to guide us? How often have we prioritized our own desires over His call to follow Him?
But take heart, beloved, for His love is relentless. The rejection He experienced has not diminished His willingness to come to us even now. He is the Good Shepherd who searches for the lost sheep. He is the Father who runs to embrace the prodigal. He is the Savior who stands at the door and knocks, patiently waiting for us to open our hearts and welcome Him in.
Let us then respond with humility and faith. Let us repent of the ways we have turned away and receive Him with gladness, not just once, but daily. Let us surrender every aspect of our lives to Him—our thoughts, our plans, our fears, and our hopes. For to receive Him is to allow Him to reign in our hearts, to transform us into His likeness, and to lead us into the abundant life He has promised.
And as we receive Him, let us also share His love with the world. The rejection Christ experienced does not belong solely to the past; it persists in our present day. There are many who still reject His name, who dismiss His truth, and who scorn those who follow Him. Yet, we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation, to proclaim the Good News with courage and compassion, to shine as lights in the midst of darkness.
Do not be discouraged, dear friends, when you face opposition or rejection for His sake. For you share in His sufferings, and you are witnesses to His enduring love. Remember His words: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Your faithfulness will not be in vain, for the One who came to His own and was rejected is the same One who will return in glory to gather His people unto Himself.
So let us stand firm in the hope we have in Christ. Let us receive Him fully and proclaim Him boldly. Let us love as He has loved us, forgive as He has forgiven us, and serve as He has served us. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ empower us to live as His witnesses, until the day He comes again and makes all things new.
Now to Him who came to His own in humility, who endured rejection with steadfast love, and who reigns forever in glory, be honor and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.