10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.
He was not recognized.
We are currently in the season of Advent, a season where the scripture passages we read and hear give us all the signs that will accompany the coming of the Messiah. We also read the passage of His birth. From these, we know of the angels, the shepherds, the magi, Herod, Bethlehem, the star, Anna, Simeon, etc. We know all that came with the coming of the Son of God.
He was not recognized.
This part of the introduction of the book of John also looks back on the whole of the life of Jesus. He lived in such a way as to reveal Himself to all who encountered Him. We will see signs, statements, and conversations that all reveal this man as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Lord.
He was not recognized.
BUT, those who DID recognize Him, to them, they became the children of God. God adopted all who recognized His son. This recognition must come with acknowledgement of who Jesus is, and right response. And when this occurs, God brings us into His family, with grace, inheritance, expectation, and joy.
He was not recognized.
The scriptures foretold who He is. His birth revealed who He is. His life revealed who He is. Others’ recognition revealed who He is.
He was not recognized.
Recognition requires our own awareness and participation in the activity of God. Too often, our own lives, priorities, activities, and focus are so far off of God that we can’t recognize all that He is doing.
Let’s not miss God. This week, spend time daily becoming aware of God and His words, His activity, His joy. Don’t miss God. Seek to recognize Him.
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