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"The last shall be first and the first shall be last"

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

John 1 vs9-13: Who Knew?

(John 1:9-13New King James Version)


"the world did not know Him". The "world" here is not the planet, but the system, the people, the culture.  "He came to His own..." His "own" could have two meanings. "His own" would be all men, or Israel. In this context, it makes more sense to think of Israel, the people he came to first. Of course He came for all men (people) but Israel was given first crack. When they rejected Him (as a nation, obviously not all Jews rejected Him) the Gentiles (non-Jews) got their chance to "not know Him". 

"...to those who believe in His name..." So much meaning, so little time: 

Jesus came as the fulfillment of a promise God made to man:
 Gen 3:15 NKJV  And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” 
This promise was a response to the sin of Adam and Eve. Their sin was to disobey God. But it was based on believing that God had lied to them. Satan called God a liar (“You will not surely die") and Eve believed him, not God. So if you "believe in His name" you believe God. You stop calling Him a liar. And you accept His gift. If you reject His gift, you insult him. Not a good move.
What does it mean to "believe in His name"? His name is Jesus. It means "He who saves". The word "name" also has implications in the Bible. Your "name" reflects your character and authority. Jesus claimed to be the savior of mankind. If He is not, then He is a liar and has no authority. A LIAR. Are you willing to call Him a liar?
I used to. Now I believe in His name and He has given me the "right to become(a child) of God".
I don't have a blood right to this, I can't work my way to it (the will of man), it is a gift of God.  

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