Receiving God

(John 13:19-20)

We have a great responsibility as servants and representatives of the Lord. This scripture hints at this for when we represent Jesus we are also representing the Father to those to whom we speak.

Given that, all aspects of what we both say and do need to be representative of the life that we have through Jesus Christ. There is also a great blessing here too that comes from representing the Lord. And even more there is a blessing to the one who receives the words of the Lord for they receive more than just words, they receive life.

Receiving Jesus

The words in this section show us about what and who it is we receive when we look to the Lord and listen to His word. It says in verse 20:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me.”

The person who receives the words of Jesus into their life and who chooses to follow Him receive both the Father and the Son. Conversely if a person does not receive the words of Jesus does not receive the Father either.

There are some who preach that we should worship only the Father or the Son, but this is not an “either/or” situation. It is all or nothing. You cannot have the Father without the Son nor the Son without the Father.

And as to salvation, we read in Acts 4:11-12,

11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner.
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

If we are to be saved it is through Jesus Christ alone. Praying to the saints or seeking the Father without the Son is pointless. Jesus saves, no-one else and this call and authority was given to Him alone by the Father.

Serving Jesus

The second aspect we see from this scripture is the role of the servant of the Lord. Again in verse 20 we see Jesus say, “…he who receives any one whom I send receives me…”

As the Lord’s representative we are sent by Him to do the work He wants done. And this is backed up by another statement of Jesus, which we see in John 12:26.

If any one serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.

The key for those who serve is to FOLLOW Jesus. We do not go ahead of Him but we allow Him to lead us where He wants us to be. He places us in the situations and lives of those with whom He is working. Then He uses us as His witnesses to speak the words of truth so that His will and His work will be done.

As it says back in verse 20, Jesus sends His people where He wants them. And when we do His work He says that we will be received as He would be received. There will be no distinction. We cannot think that if it were Jesus standing before the person it would be any different. If they will listen to Him they will listen to you. And if they reject Him they will reject you too.

When we as servants are operating in the will of God, standing on the faith that we have in Jesus Chris, then we are able to be used as He would use us. Then we shall receive God and be able to give what the Lord has given to us so that other may receive God also.

(Photo sourced from stock.xchng taken by Bill Davenport)

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John

Hi! I’m John, the owner, author, and editor of this site. Over the past 50+ years as a Christian I have been teaching, preaching and writing about the Bible to help Christians gain a deeper insight into the scriptures that are easily understood. I also answer specific Bible related questions, so feel free to contact me.