In the first chapter of the Gospel of John we read about the coming of Jesus into the world . . .
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:9-13.
Despite his amazing miracles, outstanding teaching and divine claims, Jesus was rejected by ‘his own’, the unbelieving Jews. All four gospels in the New Testament tell the constant story of his rejection.
At first, vast crowds from all over Judea and Galilee followed him, attracted by his words and deeds. But the religious leaders hated Jesus because He was so full of the love of God, while they were full of love for themselves and their religious system. His own did not receive him—they will be left behind and replaced by the real people of God in the last days.
But not every Jew rejected him. Some received him.
To all those who did receive him, i.e., those who actually believed in him, there was a sensational result—they had the authority to be children of God. Jesus was fulfilling what the prophets had predicted . . . .
Isaiah 62:4. Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride.
Zephaniah 3:16-17. On that day, the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Now let’s consider the ramifications of people receiving the authority to become “children of God”. This means to bring in a completely new people of God!
Those who received Jesus had the authority to be called people of God. But those who refused to receive Jesus do not have the right to call themselves the people of God. Here is the beginning of a new people of God altogether! The whole Gospel story is all about how Jesus’ followers have replaced those who were thought to be the people of God.
This was fulfilled by Isaiah and many Old Testament prophets, including Jeremiah 31 and Hosea . . . .
After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she again became pregnant and gave birth to a second son. And the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi—‘Not my people’—for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God. “Yet the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore—too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said, ‘You are children of the living God.’ Then the people of Judah and Israel will unite together. They will choose one leader for themselves, and they will return from exile together. Hosea 1:8-11.
Then Peter, quoting Hosea and writing to congregations of Jews and Gentiles, declares . . .
. . . . for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy, now you have received God’s mercy. 1 Peter:2:9-10.
Now let’s see what the gospels record about receiving Jesus. Gospel of Matthew 10:40-42 . . . . . .
“Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
Here is the Jewish principle of the shaliach—his agent is like himself – שליח shaliach is the Hebrew word for “apostle”. It literally means “sent one”. Strongs 7971. Pronounced shuh lee akh. Plural “shlichim“.
This usage also appears in John 13:20.
I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
And in Luke 10:16.
Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”
New Testament theologian R T France wrote: “the reception afforded Jesus’ disciples becomes the test of one’s relationship to God, as is spelt out more thoroughly in Jesus’ parable Matthew 25:31-46.”
It was a privilege for those who carry the word of God. Such acts of hospitality from the lost sheep of Israel made the preaching of the gospel possible.
This fits in perfectly with Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:37. It would have been solid comfort for the disciples under persecution. Thus comparing Matthew 10:42:
if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
With Matthew 25:37-39:
“. . . . . “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Note who really are the ‘least of these my brothers and sisters’ –not the disadvantaged or poor—but those who follow Jesus—see Matthew 12:27.
For us today, it is indeed a privilege to carry the word of God to others. To all of us who received him, we who actually believe in him, there is a sensational result—we have the authority to act as the children of God, his brothers and sisters.
We have the wonderful authority as his children to be his messengers and those who welcome us with the gospel will be welcoming Jesus and the Father who sent him.
Let us take that authority every day!
Ian Thomson 