Memory Verse of the Week ~
But
to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children
of God. John 1:12
When a verse
is read in context with the verses around it…or even the whole chapter or book…it
makes more sense. This verse is no different.
He (Jesus) came into the very world he
created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people (the
Jews), and even they rejected him. But
to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children
of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human
passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:10-13
When you
moved to the community you live in now were you immediately accepted or
rejected? Imagine how Jesus must have felt when He came to the land of
Palestine, to live in Nazareth and then later to Capernaum, traveling around
Galilee and to Jerusalem. This was a land that He created from nothing…and
people that He created and that He chose to be His special people. Generally not
only did they not acknowledge that He created them or the country in which they
lived, they totally rejected Him.
Rejection is
a hard thing for most humans to accept…and Jesus was totally human. Rejection
for us may begin with not being chosen to be on a ball team at school…or being
the last one chosen…after being rejected several times by the two team
captains. Humiliating. We don’t want you. Jesus surely felt that and more. The
Pharisees didn’t trust Him. They were looking for a political Messiah for their
nation…not a spiritual Messiah to reunite them with God.
 |
| Are they going towards Jesus...or away from Him? Tour group at the Mt. of Olives. Israel |
Now, just
like in Jesus time, there are two groups of people. Those who believe in Him
and accept Him…and those who don’t believe or accept Him. No third group…the
maybes. Either you know Him or you don’t.
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another,
for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But
anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8
Prayer
~ Dear God… You
showed how much You loved us by sending Your one and only Son, Jesus, into the
world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love--not
that we loved You, but that You loved us and sent Your Son as a sacrifice to
take away our sins. Since You loved us that much, we surely ought to love each
other. No one has ever seen You, God. But if we love each other, You live in
us, and Your love is brought to full expression in us. God, You gave us Your
Spirit as proof that we live in You and You in us. 1 John 4:9-13. Thank You.
Daily
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 21-23
© 2019 Text and
Photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
www.blueletterbible.org/dailyreading
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