Refuse Him or Receive Him

John 5:18-47


Jesus says He is equal with God. For the Jewish rulers of His day, this was blasphemy. Instead of receiving Him, they sought to shut Him up. They were embarrassed and angry that this unspectacular Jewish man from Galilee claimed He had the authority of God.  This man who made them examine their hearts was not the long-awaited Jewish Messiah they envisioned.

Many to this day refuse Jesus as Lord. They refuse His deity, denying His authority as Ruler over all the earth. Many prefer to see Him as a harmless man, perhaps a wise prophet, or miracle worker, a martyr, maybe even an angel but certainly not parallel with God. They will not admit He is the God-Man, equal to Him in power, in works, in holiness and in judgment. Jesus tells us plainly in His Word who He is. It will be on us if we call Him a liar.

Yes, unbelief will find us face to face with Him at the great white throne judgment. That day is coming when both the living and the dead will be held accountable for their choice. Did they chose Him or refuse Him as Lord? A verdict will be had.

Such joy and celebration there is in an innocent verdict! That can be ours today if we turn to Jesus and trust in Him as our Savior. He being without sin, laid down His life bearing the punishment for our sin so those of us who trust Him can be free from the penalty we deserved. What sorrow and waste for those who refuse Him as their Lord.

Jesus said to the Jewish leaders who rejected Him, "I have come in my Father's name and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you; Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"