To understand this passage it helps to remember who Jesus and John were. Both were Jews, children of Abraham. It was to Abraham that God promised descendants and the land of Canaan.
Q: When John writes that Jesus had come “to that which was his own,” what kind of reception should the Israelites have given Jesus and why?
The reception that perhaps would have been appropriate is what we see at Jesus’ triumphal entry in Matthew 21: 1 – 11 (or the equivalent in the others Gospels). There they acknowledged Him as their King. And Hosanna means “Save now Lord.” Granted, these people may not have realized the full significance of that statement, and they certainly did not yet understand what He came to do, but the response seemed to please Jesus and was an appropriate response for people who were “His.” It acknowledged that He fulfilled the prophecies for their Messiah.
Rich
Thanks for the comment!
Jeff
What kind of reception should the Israelites have given Jesus and why?
First, the Israelites should have recognized that Jesus is/was the prophesied Messiah, the one who would raise God’s kingdom. It was prophesied that Jesus would sit on the throne. Given that, their reception should have been a more humble and reverent one, to say the least. How would you receive a King?
2 Samuel 7:12–13 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
Secondly, the Israelites should have recognized that Jesus is/was fulfilling the prophecy of God’s new covenant. Beyond humility and reverence, they should have received Him with joy and celebration.
Jeremiah 31:31 ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah’
Matthew 26:28 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”
Humility, reverence, joy, and celebration.
Chris,
I agree with your comment that the Israelites should have recognized the Messiah. The problem was that most of the time throughout their history, they did not even recognize their God!
Judges 1:11 tells us that after the generation who had taken possession of Canaan died, “Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.”
One generation after moving in and receiving God’s promise of their own land they had already turned away from God. The fact that they did not recognize their God in the flesh is not really a surprise, but you are right: they should have recognized Him!
You pointing that out really brings to life just how much grace the Lord has for mankind. From the original fall, all the way to today, God is steadfast in His promises and shows just how much He wants to spend eternity with us.