Rejected by His Own
(John 1:11)
Mike Johnson
John 1:1-18 is considered the prologue of the book of John. A prologue introduces a literary work, providing background information about the characters, setting, or events. The rest of the book then explains and backs up what is in the prologue. Unlike the other gospel accounts, John proclaims Jesus to be the son of God in the beginning.
Verses 1-2 point out that Christ was present at creation and separate from God; we learn He is divine and created the world. In the course of time, He came to the earth as the “light” (8-9) so people could become children of God and receive salvation (1:12, 29). However, the world generally rejected him (10). More specifically, verse 11 says, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”
Speaking prophetically, Isaiah spoke about Jesus, saying, “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him” (Is. 53:3). Specifically, the Jews (“His own”) turned their backs on Him, not believing He was the promised Messiah. They got the Romans involved, who put the Lord to death as a common criminal. Due to their previous teaching, the Jews should have been better prepared to receive the message of Jesus than anyone else (Mt. 10:5-6). Even later, when entering a new city, Paul would first go to the synagogue to the Jews.
Consider the opposition more specifically. The Jews looked down on Jesus because He was from Galilee (Jn. 7:41, 52). Concerning the specific town He was from (Nazareth), some asked if anything good could come from there (Jn. 1:46). Jesus performed many miracles witnessed by the two major sects of His day (the Pharisees and Sadducees) who still refused to believe Him (Jn. 12:37-43). They tried to kill or have Him arrested many times (Mt. 12:14; Mt. 26:3-4; Jn. 10:30-31).
The Jews also rejected Jesus because of misconceptions about the nature of the kingdom that He would establish. They thought the Messiah would lead them in overthrowing the Romans. After the miracle of feeding the 5000, certain ones were going to take him by force and make Him king (Jn. 6:15). However, at His trial, Jesus responded to Pilate saying, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (Jn. 18:36).
Jealousy was also an issue among the many Jewish leaders. Pilate even knew that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him because of “envy” (Mk. 15:10). The feeling of the Jewish leaders that Jesus might cause them to lose their status and power played a role in their rejection of Him.
Jesus was even rejected in His hometown of Nazareth (Lk. 4:16-30). People in the synagogue drove Him out from there and were about to throw Him off a cliff, “when He passed through the midst of them, He went His way” (Lk. 4:30). At first, even Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him (Jn. 7:5).
If Jesus’ “own” did not receive Him, imagine the reaction of those who did not fall into this category. Sadly, the majority of the world does not accept Him today. There are various reasons for this rejection. Consider, however, Jesus’ statement in John 3:19-21.
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. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
Yet, despite Jesus mostly being rejected during His time on the earth, many did receive Him (1:12-13) as He continued His efforts. Further, after His resurrection on Pentecost, Jesus’ apostles preached the gospel for the first time. There were 3000 baptized in one day (Acts 2:41), and the church continued to grow (Acts 2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1, 7). This growth resulted from people spreading the message of Jesus locally and throughout the world (Acts 5:42; 8:1-4; Col. 1:23).
How do we handle rejection? What do we do when even “our own” refuse to listen? People we view as the best prospects may turn away from us as we try to teach them, as they did with Jesus. But, we must continue our efforts and even expand our range. Prospects are among those who are morally bankrupt (Acts 24:1-26; Jn. 4; 1 Cor. 6:9-11), rich sinners (Lk. 12:13-21; 19:2-10; 1 Tim. 6:10, 17-19), ignorant and poor (Acts 3:14-19; James 2:1-4), highly prejudice (Gal. 1;13-14; 1 Tim. 1:13), and involved in religious error (Acts 17:22-23). As with Jesus and the early disciples, rejection should not stop us from teaching others!
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The Truth Sometimes Hurts
Jonathan Perz
How much do you appreciate the truth? The truth is easy to hear when it is flattering, encouraging, and uplifting. However, the truth can sometimes hurt. Do you always desire the truth from those around you, regardless of whether it is favorable or not? Do you always demand the truth from those who preach and teach the gospel of Christ?
The truth pleased the rich young ruler until Jesus told him the one thing he lacked (Mark 10:17-22). Some would call such a declaration of truth unloving, but the Spirit called it love (note verse 21). How do we feel when someone courageously and honestly points out our shortcomings (Prov. 27:6)?
Some of the Jews who heard Peter on Pentecost appreciated the truth, though it indicted them. They chose repentance and baptism (Acts 2:36-40). Whereas, those Jews who heard Stephen speak that same truth hated what was spoken. They responded by stoning Stephen to death (Acts 7:54-60). How do we respond to the truth?
The Galatians loved the apostle Paul—so much that at one point they were willing to pluck out their own eyes and give them to Paul. However, in the very next verse, Paul was compelled to ask if he had become their enemy because he told them the truth (Gal. 4:14-16). Do we despise those who tell us what we need to hear?
Simply stated, unless we have a love of the truth, we will never appreciate the truths that hurt (2 Thess. 2:10-12). Unless we are willing to accept painful truths, we cannot know the sanctifying power of truth (John 17:17). Unless we obey the truth, we will be condemned (Rom. 2:8).
How much do you appreciate truth? The answer is painfully obvious when we are confronted with agonizing truths that require change in our lives. Change hurts, but the truth saves. How will you respond the next time you are confronted with the truth?
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A Cow Fell Down From Heaven
Glen Young
The dazed crew members of a Japanese trawler were plucked out of the Sea of Japan clinging to the wreckage of their sunken ship. Their rescue, however, was followed by immediate imprisonment once authorities questioned the sailors on their ship’s loss. Every single one of them claimed that a cow, falling out of a clear blue sky, had struck the trawler amidships, shattering its hull and sinking the vessel within minutes. Impossible!
They remained in prison for several weeks until the Russian Air Force reluctantly informed Japanese authorities that the crew of one of its cargo planes had apparently stolen a cow wandering at the edge of a Siberian airfield, forced the cow into the plane’s hold and had hastily taken off for home. Unprepared for live cargo, the Russian crew was ill-equipped to manage a rampaging cow within its hold. To save the aircraft and themselves, they shoved the animal out of the cargo hold as they crossed the Sea of Japan at an altitude of 30,000 feet.
We are not quick to accept those things which do not fit into our conventional thinking. While this is not necessarily bad, it can and often does cause one to close their minds to truth. This is seen in the way many reject the Bible, God’s written word. Paul points out, that some consider the preaching of God’s word as foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Yet, God’s foolishness is wiser than man’s wisdom.
Religion of modern times has found its strength in its appeal to the desires of people. It focuses its message on ministering to the whole man. The building of social and recreational facilities in the name of doing God’s work is rampant in our world. To many, Christianity is to make men happy. This quest for happiness has led to the introduction of all manner of unscriptural activities. The reason these things are accepted is found in Psalm 50:21. Hear the words of the Psalmist. “These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.” The problem is that those who participate in the social gospel believe it is acceptable to God because they think that what pleases them also pleases God.
Those who think as the Psalmist describes, are somewhat perplexed when shown that their activities are not acceptable to God. They just can’t believe that it is wrong to use instrumental music when singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. After all, the singing sounds so much better with instrumental accompaniment. Likewise, because they enjoy fellowship meals and recreational activities sponsored by the church, they see them as acceptable to God.
To the wise of the world who think the Bible is a myth, beware: “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 1 Corinthians 1:19. To those Christians who corrupt the work and worship of the church, be careful for “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. …” 2 John 1:9. “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’” 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (NKJ)
The little story about the Japanese trawler and the cow illustrates how easy it is to form conclusions without all the facts. Investigate the scriptures daily so that you will be able to recognize the truth (Hebrews 5:14). To do less, will put your soul in jeopardy of the eternal damnation which awaits the wicked!
The Road Creek church of Christ Bulletin
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An Open Letter From Nadab & Abihu
Brethren, it is with the utmost humility that we inform you of a change of worship practices in your normal sacrificing. Be assured that we are bringing about this change only after much prayer and study. We have recently concluded an in-depth re-study of the Law as delivered by our brother Moses. After this re-study of the matter and following a period of discernment, we have decided to bring about a change in the type of fire used in worship. We are aware that there is a long-standing tradition of using only one source of fire, but we, as holy priests, do not feel obligated to blindly follow tradition. Numerous polls of our worshipping clientele indicate the overwhelming opinion that they do not care where we get the fire used for their sacrifices as long as the service is conducted in a respectful and meaningful way.
We are in agreement with this growing majority, as we cannot see how a change in fire will affect anything in the least about our sacrifices. The animal is still properly cooked, and the incense burned. We are of the mind that were we to secretly substitute a different fire it would be impossible for any of the worshippers to know a change had taken place.
Besides all this, we became aware of the fact that nowhere in the Law does the Lord forbid the use of what some of our detractors have referred to as “strange fire.” We feel that the lack of such a restriction was meant to give us freedom. For those who disagree, we would ask you to show us any place in the Law that tells us we cannot do something the Lord has not seen fit to condemn. We are simply asking, “Where does it say we cannot do this?” We also wish to point out that the congregation of Israel is the only religious group in the known world that willingly limits itself to only one kind of fire. We have become the laughingstock of the land of Canaan and have been ridiculed openly by many groups. This self-righteous policy of “only-one-fire” has alienated us from everyone else. We believe this change will open up many fellowship opportunities.
Now, to set the minds of some of you at ease, we will continue to offer a traditional service using the old-fashion fire as well as this progressive service with the new fire. As a matter of fact, we may occasionally use the old fire in our progressive service for special feast days. In this way, we hope that our older citizens are still comfortable, even though they dogmatically insist on a worship style that is declining and we believe to be stunting our growth. Consider the freedom this new practice affords us! We will no longer have the expense of maintaining a constant fire in one location. This will also make it possible to appeal to a younger audience as we discover more entertaining ways to “light the fire” of our assemblies (we hope you caught the little play on words there)!
For those who still oppose the use of new fire, we ask you not to be judgmental of new ideas. We also hope you will not use this change as an excuse to divide our people or stir up trouble within the congregation. We remind you that this has been well thought out, and the majority of the elders have signed on with us. It is true we have not included our father, Aaron, in this deliberation, but we were well aware of his tradition-bound views and still plan to leave him in charge of doing the traditional service. We also have not consulted Moses, but his humility is well known and we are confident he will want to uphold the majority decision in this effort to improve our worship.
We are very much looking forward to our first new fire service. We hope you will make a special effort to be present to witness a new age of enlightenment in the church of Israel. We know God will be watching and we anticipate that His joy over seeing his people take a great step toward throwing off the burden of binding tradition will be an electrifying experience. See you there. Bring some extra barbecue sauce, for we think this new practice is going to spread like wildfire!
For Freedom’s Sake,
Nadab & Abihu
P.S. After the successful changeover in this part of our worship, future plans include the ordination of women priests, inter-idol fellowship activities with the various pagan groups nearby, and a special service called, “It doesn’t have to be Passover to celebrate Passover anymore.”
“Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” (Lev. 10:1-2)
Author Unknown
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Has This Ever Happened to You?
These and many other things often happen, don’t they? Here are some ways to avoid them:
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Sermon
Audio
Challenges of Holiness
Sewell Hall
(4-7-24)