For Those Who Get It

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  (John 1:10-13).

Have you ever created something that you intended to be an expression of your heart or mind for others to enjoy? Perhaps it was a painting or sculpture. Maybe it was a short story or poem. You poured yourself into it and for you the meaning was very obvious. In every brush stroke or carefully chosen word you were clearly communicating something you intended as a blessing or an inspiration for your audience. Then you presented it with love and waited for their reaction. Instead of affirmation or appreciation you got blank stares or maybe even rejection. How did you feel? Heartbroken? Disappointed? Personally rejected? Perhaps you stepped forward and tried to explain the message and meaning of your creation. You persisted until at least one among your audience showed that they grasped your message and you rejoiced with them in the blessing. It was like this when The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Throughout His time here on the earth, like an artist who entered into His painting and walked and talked with the people He painted and so carefully placed on the canvas, Jesus Christ persisted in proclaiming His message in word and deed. He embraced those who received Him as His very own children. He showed that when it comes to responding to His gospel, there is a tremendous blessing for those who get it.

The Word entered into the world created by the Word. The Spirit echoes this truth through the pen of the apostle Paul… “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15-16). The Word entered into the world held together by the Word… “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). The Father came to His children. The Spirit inspired Moses to identify the Israelites as God’s covenant children… “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Genesis 17:7). They were God’s children of promise. God promised them a home of their own… “And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:8). And God promised them a messiah that would be a blessing to the whole world… “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 26:4). The Teacher leads truth seekers to the true identity of the offspring of Abraham that would be a blessing to the whole world through the pen of the apostle Paul… “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ” (Galatians 3:16). The Holy Spirit clearly testifies that Jesus Christ is the promised offspring of blessing because He is the one who… “In the beginning was the Word, and… was with God, and… was God” (John 1:1). Jesus Christ, the long awaited offspring of blessing came to the children of promise… “And his own people did not receive him”. But He persisted in sharing the gospel message… “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). And He embraced as children of God all who got it and received Him in faith… “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). When we share His message with the lost today and they get it and respond in faith, they are also born again as children of God… “In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (Galatians 3:26).

As we grow up into Christ we become more confident and effective at sharing His gospel and helping others become children of God, the great and eternal blessing…

For Those Who Get It.