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In the introduction to his Gospel, John tells us about the true light—Jesus, who is real and genuine—who came into the world by incarnation (John 1:9). Yet, John also tells us that “the world did not know him” (v. 10), and that even God’s “own people,” the Israelites, did not receive him (v. 11). Indeed, reading through the Gospels demonstrates that many Jews and Gentiles knew who Jesus was, but they nevertheless chose to reject his claim that he is the Messiah.

Even though we are 2,000 years removed from Christ’s earthly ministry, the patterns of John 1:9-11 are still evident today. One might think that the remedy for this problem is to tell people about the person and nature of Jesus the Christ (which, to be clear is absolutely a good thing to pursue!); however, even if we dot all our theological “i’s” and cross all our “t’s” of historical evidence for Jesus and his divinity, people can and will still choose not to receive Jesus.

Perhaps you have experienced this first-hand as you have opportunities to share the gospel with unbelievers: they listen and even seem to understand what God’s Word teaches about sin and salvation, but in the end, they choose to reject God. They know who Jesus is, but knowing is not enough (cf. James 2:19). They must also receive Jesus by believing He is who He says He is and that He alone can save from sin (Acts 4:12).

As we continue through the holiday season, you will undoubtedly be with family members or friends who have not received Jesus. If they have never heard of Jesus, my encouragement to you is to tell them about Jesus. If, after hearing about Jesus (either for the first time or the hundredth) they choose to reject Him, continue to pray for them, even long after you shared the gospel with them. God can still use the seed you planted to bring that person to faith in Christ (cf. Matthew 13:1-17, 1 Corinthians 3:1-8).

Praise the Lord for the hope of John 1:12-13! “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  It is my prayer this Christmas season that we who have placed our faith in Christ would seek to share the hope of the Messiah with those we interact with, so that they too can become children of God.