Jesus came into the world, but many refused to receive Him. Yet John tells us that “as many as received him, to them gave he the right to be children of God. What does it mean to receive Jesus? Through the stories of Zacchaeus, Martha and Mary, and Simeon, we see different encounters with Jesus—and what happens when a person truly receives Him.
Bible Scriptures: Darby Translation
John 1:11-12 “11 He came to his own, and his own received him not;12 but as many as received him, to them gave he [the] right to be children of God, to those that believe on his name;”
Luke 19:1-10 “19 And he entered and passed through Jericho.2 And behold, [there was] a man by name called Zacchaeus, and he was chief tax-gatherer, and he was rich.3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was: and he could not for the crowd, because he was little in stature.4 And running on before, he got up into a sycamore that he might see him, for he was going to pass that [way].
5 And when he came up to the place, Jesus looked up and saw him, and said to him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for to-day I must remain in thy house.6 And he made haste and came down, and received him with joy.7 And all murmured when they saw [it], saying, He has turned in to lodge with a sinful man.8 But Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I return [him] fourfold.
9 And Jesus said to him, To-day salvation is come to this house, inasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham;10 for the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.”
Luke 10:38-42 “37 And he said, He that shewed him mercy. And Jesus said to him, Go, and do *thou* likewise.38 And it came to pass as they went that *he* entered into a certain village; and a certain woman, Martha by name, received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also, having sat down at the feet of Jesus was listening to his word.40 Now Martha was distracted with much serving, and coming up she said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Speak to her therefore that she may help me.41 But Jesus answering said to her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things;42 but there is need of one, and Mary has chosen the good part, the which shall not be taken from her.”
Luke 2:25-34 “25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was just and pious, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and [the] Holy Spirit was upon him.26 And it was divinely communicated to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death before he should see [the] Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and as the parents brought in the child Jesus that they might do for him according to the custom of the law,28 *he* received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,29 Lord, now thou lettest thy bondman go, according to thy word, in peace;
30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,31 which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;32 a light for revelation of [the] Gentiles and [the] glory of thy people Israel.33 And his father and mother wondered at the things which were said concerning him.34 And Simeon blessed them”