You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
It is always a tragedy when people remember a famous product brand but forget its inventor; or when a painting is prized although the character of its artist is unknown. That is how it was for Jesus. The whole world was created under His authority and by His power (John 1:3), but when He arrived in person He was not recognised. Although He was born into a Jewish community that considered they were God's special people, they did not accept that He was God and eventually conspired to crucify Him.
None of that took Him by surprise because sin had multiplied in His once-perfect world. Self-centredness replaced service and people worshipped created things rather than the Creator. Although they claimed to worship God as the King, they did not enthrone Him in their hearts. Although they had His Word, they did not want to understand His mind or desire to obey His commands. Although the presence of the Author, Designer and Creator should have been cause for great celebration for people of faith, and their leaders, there was no room for Jesus - the architect of time and space and the gatekeeper of eternity.
It is still the same today. Although secularism in the West denies the existence of God, many people from all over the world are united by their desire to deny that Jesus Christ is Lord. If they accepted His creative power, they would worship Him supremely. If they understood His salvation grace, they would fall on their knees, confess their sins and plead for His mercy and forgiveness. And that is why the church has an international trans-cultural multi-racial commission to make Jesus known in all the nations. As Paul says in Colossians 1:27-29, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." So, are you playing your part in making Jesus Christ known where you work and live?
Prayer: Sovereign Lord. It makes me very sad to think that the Lord Jesus was rejected by the very people He had made and crucified in the land He had created. I am also sorry to realise that I do not always recognise Him as my Lord at work or home. Please help me to value all You have created as being a special gift; but to worship Jesus, who is much greater than His creation. Please give me the courage to tell others that I belong to Him, and explain how they can submit to Him also. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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