October 18: What a Wonderful Way to Save the World!

John 1:1-18, Luke 1:1-4

John 1:1-18

Amplified Bible (AMP)

1 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.

2 He was present originally with God.

3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.

4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.

5 And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].

6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 This man came to witness, that he might testify of the Light, that all men might believe in it [adhere to it, trust it, and rely upon it] through him.

8 He was not the Light himself, but came that he might bear witness regarding the Light.

9 There it was—the true Light [was then] coming into the world [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person.

10 He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him].

11 He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own—His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.

12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—

13 Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are born of God!]

14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.

15 John testified about Him and cried out, This was He of Whom I said, He Who comes after me has priority over me, for He was before me. [He takes rank above me, for He existed before I did. He has advanced before me, because He is my Chief.]

16 For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favorand gift [heaped] upon gift.

17 For while the Law was given through Moses, grace ([d]unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ.

18 No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known].

"He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own—His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him."

Jesus! God and man! He was the Lord of Heaven, and he stooped and became a Servant of the earth. Jesus, made available and approachable to all people!
Jesus. Imanuel. God with us. Literally. He lowered Himself in order to raise us up. He left Heaven so we might enter heaven!  And yet He was not embraced. He was not welcomed.
The Answer to pain and suffering was right in front of everyone, yet they ignored Him.
This reminds me of a friend of mine. Her husband is an alcoholic. She is considering divorcing him, but keeps hoping he will change. He has put her and their family through hell on earth and embarrassed her in public many times. 
He actually came to church and completely changed his life. God delivered him totally. But she wasn't comfortable at our church. She wasnt raised in a Pentecostal church. They stopped coming. He started drinking again. He explained to her that he needs to attend our church in order to be the husband she wants him to be. She said, no, she doesnt feel comfortable here. 
She explained all this to me herself over coffee one day! I texted her a few times later encouraging her to come back to church, but she didnt respond. 
This shocks me! How could someone look at the Answer to ALL her problems and say, "No, thank you, I don't feel comfortable." And say yes to the pain and heartache of living with an alcoholic husband and father.

"Dear Jesus there is someone reading this today who is in constant pain and turmoil. You are the Answer. And yet she can't bring herself to say yes to the Answer to all of her troubles! Maybe it's because she doesn't like the Answer. Maybe she doesn't feel comfortable with the Answer. Please continue to tug on her heart, dear Jesus. Please draw her to You. You are worthy. I thank You ahead of time, Jesus. In Your precious name, AMEN."