It's been over 60 years since I read the poem The Death of the Hired Man. I still recall these lines: "Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in."
Those words are deeply etched in my memory, I believe, because my parents and brothers expressed that kind of love for me. I knew that my own family would warmly receive me whenever I came home.
In sharp contrast to my experience, Jesus "came to His own, and His own did not receive Him" (Jn. 1:11). He was rejected by the ones who should have accepted Him.
He was the one who created them (Jn. 1:3), yet He gave up heaven's glory to be born a human being. He came to His own people to be their Savior and King. He reached out to them and gave them every reason to love Him. But they turned Him away and crucified Him.
That was not the end, however. Even Jesus' death on the cross was an expression of His love. He died to pay the penalty for our sin, and His resurrection guarantees that all who believe in Him will be victorious over death and enjoy eternity in His presence.
Jesus is still reaching out and seeking those who will accept Him into their hearts. Have you let Him in? — Herbert Vander Lugt
Oh, receive Him today who so loved you
That He died on the cross for your sin;
Oh, believe Him and open your heart's door,
Let the Savior who loves you come in. --Anon.
Jesus gave His life for us so we could have His life in us.