Thursday 4 December, 2014

10 The Word was in the world that was made through him. But the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to what was his own. But his own people did not accept him. 12 Some people did accept him. They believed in his name. He gave them the right to become children of God. 13 To be a child of God has nothing to do with human parents. Children of God are not born because of human choice or because a husband wants them to be born. They are born because of what God does.

When Jesus came into the world as the Son of God there were many who did not recognise Him, both those who were God’s chosen people and those who had nothing to do with God. These people missed out on receiving all God had to offer. The next sentence though involves a big ‘but’. Yes there were those who failed to recognise Jesus, BUT, there were many who did recognise and accept Jesus. And what happened to these people? They became the sons and daughters of God, not by any human effort, but because of God’s actions.

Do I really stop and think about the people who accepted Jesus? Do I ponder how their lives changed, not just for the years on earth, but for eternity? Do I somehow undermine the amazing truth that those who were in rebellion against God came into his family, by focusing on the fact that many failed to recognise and even rejected Jesus? Do I continue to focus on that today? Do I spend more time thinking about all the people around me who fail to recognise Jesus, rather than taking a look at the lives of those who have come to know Jesus? Do I consider how their lives have changed, and how their eternity is now filled with hope?

God, please help me to take off my dark shades and to see the amazing work you are doing in the people around me – bringing people to you and changing people’s lives as they become your sons and daughters. Help me to see that you are powerfully at work, and for every one who recognises you, a life is forever changed. Thank you that you call me to partner with you in helping people to recognise Jesus, Holy Spirit shine through me and help me reveal more of Jesus’ goodness and greatness. Amen.

Written by Beth Waugh