Gospels Part 057
John 1:10-13 describes the choice we all have—acceptance of the gift of salvation, or rejection and payment of our own death penalty. As we have covered, Jesus came as the light of the world. People have two very different reactions to that light.
In John 1:10, John is referring to Jesus Christ coming into the world as a flesh-and-blood human being,
“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.”
Here we see John confirming that Jesus is the divine Being who created the world, and He surrendered His divine power and splendor as God to come into the world that He created. However, the world didn’t recognize Him for who and what He was, as we see in John 1:11,
“He came to his own, and His own people did not receive Him” (English Standard Version).
Sadly, this is true on multiple levels:
- It’s referring specifically to the Jewish people of His day who, even though they were expecting the Messiah to appear in their day, didn’t recognize or receive Him, and instead plotted to kill Him.
- It’s also true of His own immediate family. His own half-brothers didn’t believe in Him as the Messiah, though at least two of them—James and Jude (“Jacob” and “Judah,” as their Jewish names would’ve been)—later believed and wrote two of the general epistles of the Bible.
- The entire human race as a whole has not received Him either. This rejection of Jesus as God in the flesh applies on multiple levels. This is why God’s calling is so important. We don’t choose Him; He chooses us.
We’re familiar with two passages where Jesus Himself addresses this and says,
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44).
We also read:
“No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (John 6:65).
God makes the decision and does the calling, not us. We are here because God the Father personally chose us. How we respond to that calling makes all the difference in the world!
Continuing in John 1:12,
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” ESV).
Let’s notice two other verses that are extremely relevant to this topic.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).
“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:10).
We see in these three verses one of the key truths of the Bible, that our destiny is to become the literal sons and daughters of God, His very children in His divine family! Jesus Christ is the one who makes it possible for many to be given the opportunity to become members of the family of God—to be the children of God. This is an amazing truth that very few understand! (To learn more, be sure to read our study aid Why Were You Born?)
Continuing in John 1:13:
“—children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God” (New English Version).
The Greek word translated “born” here is gennao, which, depending on the context, can refer to any part of the process from begettal at conception to birth. We understand from the more full picture revealed in the Bible that we are now begotten by God’s Spirit to be part of His family, but we are not yet fully born into that family, which will happen at the resurrection of the dead when we will become the immortal, glorified children of God.
If you have not done so yet, be sure to download the free eBook, A Harmony of the Gospels: The Life, Ministry and Teaching of Jesus Christ.
You can also read this lesson that gives an overview of this valuable resource.
© 2026 Scott Ashley. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
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Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
