January 4

Rejecting Christ

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. — John 1:11 BSB

This paints a picture of Christ coming with infinite grace to the people He loved—His own people—only to be rejected by them. This was one of the saddest parts of His mission. Jesus was the God of glory and life, bringing heaven to earth, yet when He knocked at the doors of people’s hearts, they stayed shut. He had to turn away, carrying with Him the precious gifts He’d come to give.

We often judge the Jews for rejecting their Messiah, and rightly so—it was a huge loss for them, turning away Christ’s eternal blessings. But how is it with us? Christ comes to us continually, offering His blessings, including eternal life. Do we welcome Him? Isn’t it true that often, He comes to His own, and His own do not receive Him?

Do we take all that Christ offers us? Don’t we often grieve Him and miss out on His blessings by turning Him away? Especially when He comes to us in pain or sorrow. Some of the richest blessings come in moments of suffering, yet we’re quick to turn them down. Why don’t we trust Christ when He comes in hardship as much as when He comes in joy or prosperity? Can’t we trust His love and wisdom? He never sends pain without a purpose, and there’s always a blessing in His chastening.