Not Recognized (December 18)

December 18 – Not Recognized

10 He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. John 1:10-13

Not Recognized (December 18)

One time when our family was in Silver Dollar City, we suddenly heard the shout of our names. There, over four hours from our home, we turned and saw people that we had only ever seen at a church gathering.

At first, I did not recognize them because I could not place them in totally different circumstances than I had ever seen them. I wonder if it was a bit like that for the people of Jesus’ day.

Not what they expected

A baby born to a carpenter in a stable had to be easy to overlook. For generations, the people of Israel had been looking for a king. A revolutionary king who would overthrow their Roman oppressors and set up his own kingdom.

They expected to see a king and along came a carpenter’s son. Instead of sparking revolution against the Romans, He preached forgiveness, meekness, and love for enemies. Like me at Silver Dollar City, they couldn’t reconcile what was in front of them with their expectations.

He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. John 1:10-11

Rejected Rather Than Received

The very world that was created through Jesus rejected Him. They did not recognize him as the Promised One. The Savior of the world came and laid down His life for those who did not receive Him.

Not just laying down His life, He made a wayfor those who would believe to become a part of His family. Children of God and co-heirs with Christ.

But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13 who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

What are we looking for?

In our world today, what are we looking for? In the midst of a global pandemic and the chaos of this year, are our expectations blinding us to what God is doing?

December 18 Devotional

I think we often expect God the blessings, the good stuff of life. When we face the difficulties and pain, we sometimes feel abandoned. However, there are some things that God can accomplish only through the hardships of this life.

Let’s pray today that God would open our eyes to what He is doing. Let’s look around and watch for where God is in the middle of the storm, speaking “Peace, be still.”

Prayer:

Dear God, open my eyes to what you are doing in my world. Help me to see how to get involved in the work of Your kingdom this year rather than just trying to build my own. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Access to the other posts in this series and the free printables for this December can be found at the Series Overview page. Come join me as I pursue the peace and joy on the Savior’s birth throughout the month of December!