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Welcome – John 1:6-13
There is an art to welcoming guests at church. Ministrytodaymag.com has ten suggestions: 1) create a culture of welcoming, 2) train your greeters, 3) have a logical flow of traffic, 4) spellcheck everything, 5) mark your entrances, 6) avoid awkward greeting times, 7) have a topnotch childcare system, 8) gather information in a non-pushy way, 9) show genuine interest and invite them to a meal, and 10) treat them like VIP’s. When the Messiah of Israel came to Israel, they had none of this. He should have been treated as the MVP, but he was not so welcomed.
A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. He came for a witness that he might bear witness concerning the light, that all might believe through him. He was not that light, but came that he might bear witness concerning the light. He was the true light coming into the world who enlightens all people. He was in the world, that very world that came into being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own people and his own people did not welcome him. But to as many who welcomed him he gave the right to become children of God; he gave it to those who believe in his name. They became children such as are born, not from blood, nor from the will of the flesh, nor from the will of a man, but from God. (John 1:6-13)
It is inconceivable that God’s Messiah, His anointed one in whom He will bring about the conclusion of the ages and His reign over all, would be sent without any warning or introduction. So God chose to use a prophet named John, the son of Zechariah, to announce the coming of the Messiah and to identify Jesus of Nazareth as that Messiah. John’s influence was profound, so much so that the Pharisees, who came as a whole to hate Jesus, were fearful of admitting that they did not believe in John’s calling from God lest, if they did, the people would reject them. John the Baptist made it clear that he was not the light God had sent to the world, the predicted light to all nations that Isaiah 9:2 talks about:
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Jesus is that true light who lights everyone, not just Israel, by his coming into the world. And though we may speak of our own children as coming into the world, this is a unique way of describing the Word, the Creator of the world, coming into His own world. Though always present in His world it was a way of coming into it by virtue of taking on human nature.
Nevertheless, Jesus was not recognized as the Creator by His creatures and especially not by His people Israel. As a nation they rejected their own Messiah. But any who did receive, welcome, embrace and believe in him, He gave the right to become children of God.
In one sense every created being is God’s child, but in a more special sense only those who believe God’s promise become His children, children born of the Spirit and faith, children who will never be abandoned by God, children who will never fail to have His undying love, and children who will spend eternity with Him in His household.
Becoming God’s child is like a rebirth, but not physically, or from turning over a new leaf in one’s will, nor by someone else’s determination, but a spiritual birth produced by God. Jesus invites us to be born again through the Spirit as the Father’s spiritual children. The way to such a rebirth is through faith, or what John calls here, receiving or welcoming Jesus. Have you opened your arms and welcomed him as the true light?
Discussion Questions
- What is the most awkward first time visitor experience you have had? What is the most positive first time visitor experience you have had?
- If John the Baptist was so highly regarded, why do you think his introduction of Jesus was not received? What kept Israel from welcoming Jesus?
- In what sense would you say that Jesus has enlightened all people?
- How would you describe the difference between being a child of God by virtue of creation and a child of God by virtue of faith?
- How does John clarify what it means to become a child of God by faith?
- Are you a child of God by faith and why would you say so, yea or nay?
About the Author Randall Johnson
A full-time pastor since 1979, Randall originally graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) in 1979 and from Reformed Theological Seminary (DMin) in 1998. He is married with four grown children and a pile of epic grandchildren.
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