1294. Some Received, and Some Received Not

Some Received, and Some Received Not

"He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and they that were His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on His name" (Joh_1:10-12, A. S. V.).

The contrast we now consider seems much the same, as that of the previous section.

There are, however, additional suggestions, which will the more set forth the great contrasts between the two classes who inhabit the earth.

1. Those who received Him. To receive the Lord Jesus, means to open the heart to Him, to let Him come in, to welcome Him, to love Him. The believer has received Him.

When the Lord Jesus walked among men, there were some whose heart and whose home were opened to Him. Among the first to receive Him were Andrew and John. They said unto Christ, "Where dwellest Thou?" The Lord said, "Come and see" (Joh_1:38-39). After these came Peter, and others of the Twelve. They all received Him.

It was not long before Nathanael opened his heart and received the Lord. Then came various people from various sections and from various walks of life. The woman of Samaria received Him; Nicodemus opened his heart to the Lord; Zacchaeus came down and received Him. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, welcomed Him into their home and their hearts.

2. Those who received Him not. The great masses of the people, many of whom were willing to eat His loaves and fishes, were unwilling to receive Him into their hearts.

He was not received by Israel, although God had committed unto her His oracles; His testimony concerning His Son, yet, "He came to His own, and His own received Him not" (Joh_1:11).

He was not received by the scribes and Pharisees, for they went about to slay Him.

He was not received by the populace, for they cried out, "Away with Him, let Him be crucified."

There is a vast distinction among men concerning their attitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. There are those who have no place for Him; their ear is closed to His call; their hearts are sealed against His testimony.

We remember well how a dying woman sang:

"Oh, come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee."

When her body was finally placed beneath the sod, her husband turning from the grave, uttered one loud shout, "Good-by until the resurrection." He knew that the one who had received Christ, would be received of Him.

There is much boastful talk in these days, upon the part of the world, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. The world speaks of Christ as "the man of Galilee," or, as "the Nazarene;" it has glowing words about "the ethics of Jesus;" it is willing to concede that He was the greatest of men, yet all of this is rather a rejection, than reception of Christ. Jesus Christ never offered Himself as "the Galilean," or "the Nazarene;" He never sought the plaudits of the world, as "a statesman," or, an "ethical propagandist." The Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself as "the Bread that came down from Heaven;" He offered Himself as "the Resurrection and the Life;" He called upon men to believe in Him as "the Door" through Whom they might enter in and be saved–but the world knew Him not.

To receive the Lord Jesus Christ is far more than to flatter Him with the lips.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR