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Unknown and Unwanted

John 1:10-11
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (NIVUK)

It is always a tragedy when people remember a famous product brand but forget its inventor; or when a painting is prized although the character of its artist is unknown.  That is how it was for Jesus.  The whole world was created under His authority and by His power (John 1:3), but when He arrived in person He was not recognised as its architect and builder.  Although He was born into a Jewish community that considered they were God's special people, they did not accept that He was God and eventually conspired to crucify Him (Mark 14:1).

Logically, this makes no sense.  Jesus was living amongst His people, teaching God’s Word with undeniable authority and performing amazing miracles (John 14:14).  Although the presence of the world’s Designer and Creator should have been cause for great celebration for people of faith, and their leaders, they had no room for Jesus - the architect of time and space and the gatekeeper of eternity (2 Corinthians 5:10).  

None of that took Him by surprise.  Sin had multiplied in His once-perfect world blinding hearts and minds to the arrival of the God who made them (John 1:3).  Instead, people worshipped created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).  Although they claimed to worship God as the King, they did not enthrone Him in their hearts.  Although they had His written Word in their hands, they did not want to understand His mind or desire to obey His commands.  

It is still the same today.  Although secularism in the West denies the existence of God, many people from all over the world are united by their desire to deny that Jesus Christ is Lord.  If they accepted His creative power, they would worship Him supremely.  If they understood His salvation grace, they would fall on their knees, confess their sins and plead for His mercy and forgiveness.  And that is why the church has an international trans-cultural multi-racial commission to make Jesus known in all the nations. As Paul says in Colossians 1:27-29, "... God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me."  So, are you playing your part in making Jesus Christ known where you work and live?

Prayer 
Sovereign Lord. It makes me very sad to think that the Lord Jesus was rejected by the very people He had made and crucified in the land He had created. I am also sorry to realise that I do not always recognise Him as my Lord at work or home. Please help me to value all You have created as being a special gift; but to worship Jesus, who is much greater than His creation. Please give me the courage to tell others that I belong to Him, and explain how they can submit to Him also. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams