The Thursday before Jesus was crucified, He taught the disciples how important it was to welcome Him. To welcome Jesus means to be open to a relationship with Him. We would assume that the disciples that had followed Jesus for three years would automatically welcome Him. But not so. John 13:18 “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ 19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah. 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.” [1]
Jesus knew what was in the heart of Judas. For whatever reason, Judas had decided it was in his best interest to betray Jesus. He was rebelling against Him. Jesus explained to all the disciples how important a relationship with Him was.
Later that same evening Jesus taught the disciples how the world welcomes Him. We only need to read the news to know this is still true today. John 15:18 If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.[2]
Do You Welcome Jesus?
How about you? Have you welcomed Jesus into your heart? Did you know that it is the Lord’s desire that everyone would welcome Him? 2 Timothy 2:3This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.[3]
Those who don’t welcome Jesus have made a decision to do life apart from God, which is rebellion. Much of the culture of this world is hostile to Jesus and will not welcome Him because their hearts are hard as stone. Jesus knows that those who depart this life without a relationship with Him are headed to hell itself.
The good news is that Jesus chose you to come out of the world and to welcome Him and be a child of the King! The Apostle Paul tells us how important his relationship with Jesus was. Philippians 3:8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him.[4]
When we welcome Jesus there is great joy in heaven! To hear more about welcoming Jesus, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-the-disciples
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.