Do you recognize and honor the deep roots of your faith?
John 1:6-13 reminds us of the role of John the Baptist as a witness to the Light, Yeshua the Messiah. While many of God’s chosen people did not receive Him, those who did were given the right to become children of God. As Gentile believers, we are not a replacement for Israel but are grafted into the rich heritage of God’s people. Our faith is deeply rooted in the Hebraic foundations, and we should seek to understand and embrace them rather than creating new traditions apart from God’s original ways.
Key Verse:
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” – John 1:12 (NASB)
Background Context:
The Gospel of John begins by emphasizing the deity of Yeshua and His mission to bring light to a dark world. John the Baptist was sent as a forerunner to testify about the Messiah. Yet, despite His coming to His own people, many did not receive Him. However, those who did were welcomed into God’s family. Paul further expands on this in Romans 11, where he explains that Gentile believers are grafted in to the olive tree of Israel—not replacing the natural branches but becoming part of the same covenant blessings. This challenges us to embrace the fullness of God’s Word, both Old and New Testament, as one continuous revelation of His truth.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
The Witness John
6There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
9There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
17But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.23And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
Reflection on John 1:6-13 and Romans 11:17-24
John the Baptist: A Witness to the Light (John 1:6-8)
- John was sent “to testify about the Light” so that all might believe through him (John 1:7).
- He made it clear that he was not the Light but pointed people to Yeshua. We are called to do the same, leading others to Him with both our words and our lives.
The True Light and the Rejection of the Messiah (John 1:9-11)
- Yeshua is the “true Light which enlightens every man” (John 1:9). He came to His own, but many of them did not receive Him.
- This rejection did not mean God abandoned Israel; rather, He extended salvation to all who would believe in Him.
Becoming Children of God (John 1:12-13)
- Those who receive Yeshua “are born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). Our spiritual heritage is not based on lineage but on faith in Messiah.
The Olive Tree: Being Grafted In (Romans 11:17-24)
- Paul warns against arrogance toward the natural branches (Israel). The root supports us; we do not support the root (Romans 11:18).
- God’s covenant with Israel remains, and those who turn to Yeshua will be restored.
- We, as Gentiles, should humbly embrace the heritage we have been grafted into, learning from the Old Testament and the ways God has revealed Himself to His people.
Summary Key Points
- John the Baptist’s mission was to prepare the way for Yeshua, pointing others to Him.
- Yeshua came first to His own people, and while many rejected Him, those who received Him became children of God.
- As Gentile believers, we are grafted into the family of God, not replacing Israel but joining in the covenant blessings.
- We should honor and embrace the Hebraic roots of our faith, understanding the Old Testament as foundational to our belief in Yeshua.
- The Bible is one continuous revelation, and both the Old and New Testaments are essential to our spiritual growth.
Application
- Be a witness like John the Baptist—live in a way that points others to Yeshua.
- Reject any belief that disregards or replaces Israel; instead, seek to learn from God’s dealings with His people.
- Spend time studying the Old Testament to understand the full picture of God’s redemptive plan.
- Recognize that being grafted into God’s family comes with a responsibility to live according to His ways, not creating our own traditions apart from His Word.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation through Yeshua, the true Light. Help me to be a faithful witness, pointing others to Him through my words and actions. Teach me to embrace the fullness of Your Word, understanding the rich heritage of my faith. Keep me from arrogance, and give me a heart that seeks to learn from Your dealings with Israel. May I walk in humility, truth, and obedience, bringing glory to Your name. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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