John 1:11

Letters to the Faithful - John 1:11

Berean Standard Bible

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

King James Bible

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Greek Text:

Εἰς τὰ ἴδια ἦλθεν, καὶ οἱ ἴδιοι αὐτὸν οὐ παρέλαβον.

Transliteration:

Eis ta idia ēlthen, kai hoi idioi auton ou parelabon.

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He came to His own

This phrase refers to Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, who came to the Jewish people, His own ethnic and religious community. The Jewish people were chosen by God as His covenant people, as seen in Genesis 12:1-3 with the call of Abraham. Throughout the Old Testament, God established a unique relationship with Israel, giving them the Law, the prophets, and the promises (Romans 9:4-5). Jesus' coming to His own fulfills numerous prophecies, such as Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2, which foretold the Messiah's arrival. Geographically, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, and ministered throughout Judea and Galilee, areas central to Jewish life and worship.

and His own did not receive Him

Despite the anticipation of a Messiah, many Jewish leaders and people did not accept Jesus as the Christ. This rejection is a recurring theme in the Gospels, where Jesus faces opposition from the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other religious authorities (John 5:43, Matthew 21:42). The cultural expectation of a political liberator clashed with Jesus' mission of spiritual salvation and kingdom of God proclamation. This rejection was prophesied in passages like Isaiah 53:3, which speaks of the Messiah being despised and rejected. Theologically, this rejection highlights the broader human condition of sin and the need for divine intervention, as well as the opening of God's covenant to the Gentiles, as seen in Acts 13:46 and Romans 11:11.

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Beloved of the Lord, grace and peace be upon you from the One who was, who is, and who shall be forever. Hear the word spoken of Him who came in the fullness of time, the Word made flesh, the Light that entered the world. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. The One who formed them, who called them, who prepared them, stood in their midst, yet they did not welcome Him. The very hands that shaped the heavens reached out, yet they turned away.

Consider the weight of this truth, beloved. The Lord of Glory, the eternal Son, walked among men, and yet He was rejected. He spoke, and yet they did not listen. He showed wonders, yet they turned their eyes away. How grievous it is that He who is the source of life was refused by those He came to save. How sorrowful that the Creator stood before His creation, yet they did not recognize Him.

Yet do not imagine that this rejection was only for those who lived in days past. Does He not still come, knocking upon the doors of hearts, speaking through His word, revealing Himself in His grace? And do not many still turn away, refusing the invitation of mercy, resisting the hand that reaches out in love? He comes to His own even now, calling them to Himself, yet many close their ears, harden their hearts, and look elsewhere for fulfillment.

But take heart, for His rejection did not thwart His purpose. Though men refused Him, He did not withdraw His offer of salvation. Though they did not receive Him, He extended His grace even further. What they cast aside, He gave freely to all who would believe. The door that was shut to Him He opened to the nations, that all who call upon His name might enter in. His love was not diminished by rejection, nor was His purpose undone by their refusal.

See, then, that we are given a choice. He comes to us—will we receive Him, or will we turn Him away? Will we welcome His presence, or will we resist His call? The rejection of the past warns us, the invitation of the present beckons us. Let us not be counted among those who refuse Him, but among those who receive Him with joy. Let us not be numbered among those who harden their hearts, but among those who open them to the life He gives.

To all who receive Him, He grants the right to become children of God. He does not turn away those who turn to Him. He does not reject those who welcome Him. Though men rejected Him, He does not reject us. His mercy endures, His grace abounds, His invitation remains. Take hold of it, cherish it, walk in it. Do not let Him pass by unwelcomed, do not turn Him away as many have done before. For He who came will come again, and on that day, may we be found among those who received Him.

Grace and peace be upon you, beloved. May His presence be near to you, may His word dwell richly within you, may His love surround you. To Him who was rejected yet reigns forever be glory and honor, now and always. Amen.

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O Sovereign Lord, Almighty and Eternal, You who spoke the heavens into existence, who formed man from the dust and breathed life into his being, who sent forth Your Son as the Living Word—before You we bow in reverence and humility. You sent Him in the fullness of time, You revealed the Light that shone in the darkness, You brought forth salvation to those who would receive—but He came to His own, and His own did not welcome Him.

O Merciful Father, how great is Your love, that You would offer redemption even to those who rejected You. The hands that shaped the world stretched forth to embrace, yet many turned away. The voice that called creation into being spoke with tenderness, yet many refused to listen. The fullness of grace stood before men, yet their hearts were hardened. Yet You, O God, are long-suffering, patient beyond measure, and abounding in steadfast love.

O Righteous King, we cry out to You, asking that hearts may be softened, that eyes may be opened, that ears may hear Your call. Let not Your coming be in vain to any soul. Let none remain distant from Your embrace. Though the world rejects, though many resist, though pride stands in opposition to humility, You are still calling, still seeking, still waiting with open arms. Bring forth repentance where there is stubbornness, bring forth acceptance where there is rejection, bring forth surrender where there is resistance.

O Redeeming God, do not let us be numbered among those who turn You away. Let our hearts be tender, our spirits receptive, our lives yielded to Your presence. May we not close the door as many have done before. May we not turn from the gift You offer. May we receive You in fullness, embracing the grace that does not fade, the truth that does not change, the mercy that does not falter. You are the Word of life, the hope of salvation, the promise fulfilled.

O Faithful One, strengthen those who have received You, that they may stand firm amidst a world that still turns away. Let them be a witness of Your love, a light to those who dwell in darkness, a voice crying out Your truth. Let the testimony of the redeemed reach those who have not yet welcomed You. Let the presence of Your Spirit stir within the hearts of many, that they may know the joy of receiving the Son whom You have sent.

O Gracious Father, in Your kindness, restore what has been lost, heal what has been wounded, draw near to those who wander. You do not abandon, You do not forsake, You do not forget. You are still knocking upon the doors of hearts, still extending Your hand in love, still calling Your people to Yourself. Let those who hear Your call answer swiftly, let those who see Your light walk toward it, let those who sense Your presence fall in worship.

O Lord, be glorified, be exalted, be magnified. You who came, You who were rejected, You who still reign—you are worthy of all praise. Your love is greater than rejection, Your mercy stronger than resistance, Your grace more enduring than the passing ways of men. Let the nations receive You, let the generations welcome You, let the hearts of many be opened to You. In You is life everlasting, in You is hope unfailing, in You is salvation secure.

O God, hear our prayer, receive our worship, and let Your name be lifted high, now and forevermore. Amen.