What happened when Jesus came unto His own people?
When Jesus came to His own people, Israel, they had their final opportunity to repent of crucifying their Messiah, but they rejected it. This rejection became a crescendo when Israel stoned Stephen; afterward Israel declined, and Paul’s going to the Gentiles came in its place.
Les explains that God promised Abraham a nation of people, a geographical land, and that one day He Himself, in the person of the Son, would come as their Messiah, King, and Redeemer. That promise was given in the Old Testament, so Jesus was the minister to the Jews first and foremost. When He came unto His own, Israel had their final opportunity to repent of the horrible deed of crucifying their Messiah, and they rejected it. Les says this was like a crescendo of rejection when Israel stoned Stephen. From that point on, Israel goes down through the cracks, and in its place comes Paul’s going to the Gentiles. Yet it all had its seed in the Old Testament: He came to confirm the promises and covenants made to the fathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through those promises, the Gentiles also might glorify God for His mercy, showing His mercy and grace.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.