I was involved with a children’s outreach ministry a few years ago. One of my favorite classes was the Kindergarten through second grade group. It was thrilling to watch how excited they were to learn about Jesus. They just loved being there. Why was this so significant? These kids were welcoming to Jesus. It is a common fact that children of that age easily become followers of Jesus. If you were Jesus, how would this make you feel?
How Did People Welcome Jesus When He Walked the Earth?
Although these children gladly welcomed Jesus not everyone, especially adults welcomed Jesus when He began His ministry. John 4:43 At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. 44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown.[1] This is all that the author of John commented concerning the rejection of Jesus by His hometown. Luke 4:14-30 gives us more insight. Jesus had gone to His hometown and told the people of the synagogue that He was the Messiah. Since they knew His family, they assumed He was a heretic and tried to kill Him.
John contrasts how Jesus’ reception in Galilee was different than His hometown. John 5:45 Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there. [2] The word “welcome” in this context means: “to receive, to welcome, to accept or take hold of.” (Strong’s Greek #1209) Jesus’ hometown did not honor him. This means they did not accept, respect, or value Him. Yet the Galileans responded and welcomed Jesus. We live in a similar world today where some people welcome Jesus, while others are indifferent and go their own way.
How Do We Welcome Jesus Today?
Welcoming Jesus is the “Y” in the road for each person. Each person has a choice. When one welcomes Jesus, it begins a lifetime of spiritual transformation. As Jesus takes residence in our heart or center of being, our name is written in the Book of Life and we are assured of spending eternity with our Savior. If one refuses to welcome Jesus in this life, He honors that decision and that person will be eternally separated from God.
Jesus desires that we welcome Him. Even the angels celebrate when we welcome Jesus and follow Him. Luke 15: 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! [3]
How about you? Have you welcomed Jesus into your heart and life? If so, how did the Lord begin to change you? How did that affect the way you see yourself and others? To hear more about welcoming Jesus, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-a-government-official
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
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