They Did Not Receive Him!

They Did Not Receive Him!

“That was the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world.” John 1:9. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” V. 11.

That they did not receive Him is written in connection with the fact that He came as the Light that gives light to every man.

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19.

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” John 8:12.

Today’s believers think it was terrible that Jesus was rejected by His own, thinking that they have received Him. They do not consider the fact that receiving Him means receiving Him as the Light that shall enlighten them. It is normal for today’s believers to reject Jesus. This is plain to see.

They have rejected this light with which Jesus came: “For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15.

This is a profound revelation that is in direct opposition to man’s vanity. This light is Jesus. Rejecting this light means rejecting Jesus. We can clearly see that virtually all religious groups have rejected Jesus.

If you think about the Catholics and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, it is plain to see that their glory is in earthly riches—to make things appear great in people’s eyes. We can see that other denominations are following this example as much as they can afford to. When they build a meeting hall, they prefer to have a church with a tall steeple, as impressive and as attractive as they can afford. They furnish the meeting hall as attractively as possible for people, so it can be worthy of the most prosperous. They spend thousands to make it appear impressive in people’s eyes, at the same time begging money for God’s cause.

It is something great in people’s eyes to be elevated and to sit in a large chair; and so they furnish the meeting hall with as high and attractive a platform as they are able with correspondingly imposing chairs according to the importance of those who are going to sit in them. It is plain to see that they have rejected Jesus.

Prior to the above quotation in Luke 16:15 we read, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.”

Of course these denominations have an explanation for all their vanity. Individuals do the same. Why do people want to be modern in the way they dress? And what is it that is manifested when they build a house? They are busy justifying themselves before man so that no one will think that they are vain and love the world. It is obvious that they have neither rest nor peace in what they are doing. Many people are in such darkness that they glory in their shame.

It is apparent that they have rejected Jesus, even though they want Him as their atoning sacrifice. No matter how eloquently they speak about Him and praise Him for what He has done for them, they have rejected Him as Light.

We can mention more of the light Jesus has given us: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matt. 5:27-30.

Jesus came to give light to every man. Who has really understood that lusting in his heart is that dangerous? According to the law they were used to the idea that everything was in order as long as they did not act out their lust in a deed. However, Jesus enlightens us and teaches us that lusting in your heart is more dangerous than losing your eye.

We see what people are willing to do in order to save their eye. They do not spare time, money, or effort in order to save their eyes. If they would receive this light from Jesus, it would become even more serious for them to keep their heart free from lust—all kinds of lusts are included in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 1 John 2:14-17. But people never come to a life of victory over sin because they reject Jesus; and because they reject Jesus, they live in adultery and are conformed to this world. Moreover, then they praise Jesus for everything He has done for them and they want Him as their atoning sacrifice.

We can read the Sermon on the Mount and many other scriptures in this light. But the person who does not walk in the light rejects Jesus, and most believers are in such darkness that they believe they will be in Jesus’ bride. Paul reminds Timothy of the testimony Jesus gave before Pontius Pilate. Paul calls it the “good confession.” If Timothy needed to be reminded of it, isn’t it fitting to remind today’s Christians of it? 1 Tim. 6:13.

“And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3.

Jesus was not defiled by the spirit of the times. We need to purify ourselves just as He is pure if we have this hope of seeing Him as He is and being His bride. Satan is the god of the world. 2 Cor. 4:3-4. We must not exude an aroma of this world when we meet Jesus in the sky. We are to be a fragrance of Christ to God. We are a fragrance of Christ to God when we are an aroma of death to death to those who are perishing. 2 Cor. 2:15-16. This is quite different from being great in the eyes of man and being praised by them.

From this, we understand what it means that the bride has made herself ready and that this causes great rejoicing in heaven. Rev. 19:7.