His own did not receive him

John 1:11 He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive him.

With a show of hands, how many actually like receiving lines? I have to confess that standing in the receiving line is one of my least favorites activities. I understand the purpose of the lines. It just seems so artificial.

Making a drastic change in your life may not sit well with some of the family or friends that you currently have. As the old saying goes, "it may not be well received." Making a positive change in your life may be understood by some, but others may not accept the change. They may feel as if they have been left behind, or even abandoned. In my experience, some may just not ever accept the profound change. Similarly, if you are talking with a friend or family member about a problem in their life, it may not be well received. Especially if just a short while ago you had the same problem in your life. How was that experience for you? Would you call it a positive experience, or a negative experience.

Change is seldom easy to accept. The status quo is comfortable. And that is the problem Jesus encountered with the Jewish leaders His time. What he was sharing with many was not what the leaders wanted to be shared. Jesus threatened the well being and prosperity of the leaders. Inspire of all the evidence to the contrary, their wicked ways were what they were comfortable with. They had a system and the last thing the leaders wanted was for someone to upset the apple cart. The words of Psalm 31:12&13 were  uncomfortably close to his experience during the latter days of His time on earth. I am forgotten as though I were dead, I have become like broken pottery. For I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side!" They conspire against me and plot to tale my life."  When we encounter false teachings about Christ, or the Bible, we too need to be bold. We need to confront those responsible for perpetuating the false teachings and seek to be the instrument of change. We do this out of love, not hatred. We seek the will of the Lord in prayer and then with compassion for all, seek to make the change needed. We have comfort in the words from Psalm 31:14 but I trust in you, Lord; I say "You are my God." for if we are truly seeking and following the will of God then we have the confidence that goes with serving the Lord.

PRAYER: Most merciful God, on occasion we encounter situations where false teachings have crept into our lives, the lives of our friends and family, or our church. Help us Father to discern Your will and Your truth. Guide is in our efforts to bring about the change You would have occur. Show us the path of love and compassion in being the instrument of change where change is needed. Guide us in the steps of Jesus in this walk. We as this in the name of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.