Tag: John 12
The Word: Judge or Salvation?
Scripture reading for April 22: John 12
“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My Words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My Words has a judge; the Word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father, Who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment–what to say and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me.” John 12:46-50
Jesus plainly declared that He was the ‘Light of the World’ Who came to reveal the Father and His great love for lost mankind. In declaring the Gospel and calling people to repentance, His message was rejected by many of the religious Jews. They judged Him by His Words to be a blasphemer and impostor worthy of rejection and death. But Jesus was patient with them. He reassured them that He did not come into the world to judge them or others in the world. His goal was to see as many as would believe saved by faith and trust in His Word. Those who chose not to believe but judge, these would have a judge: The Words spoken by Jesus! This was the true light of Truth shining from God’s Son, the Savior.
Not only was Jesus not there as a judge, the Father sent Him with the message of salvation and eternal life through repentance and faith. Jesus’ Words were a light to all who were in the darkness of sin or religious self improvement. He called out to them to simply believe. He performed miracles and gave supernatural signs that God was present with Him by healing the blind and lame, casting out demons, and even raising the dead to life again. He did all this at the Father’s command to fulfill His will. Many believed in Him but did not confess Him for fear of religious leaders.
What have you done with the Words of Jesus Christ? If Jesus’ Words will be our judge on the last day, what will be His verdict about our believing them? Can you say with Jesus, “What I say, therefore the Father has told me.”?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving Jesus the Words that He has declared to us in perfect obedience. I want to stand at the last day with no fear of judgment or death. I love my Father and Savior Jesus and His saving Word of the Father’s love and mercy! Amen!
Beware of fearing men!
Scripture reading for April 21st: John 12
Key scriptures for over-comers: John 12: 42-46 “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in Me, he does not believe in Me only, but in the One who sent Me. When he looks at Me, he sees the One who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness.”
Jesus came into the world to bring the light of revelation of the Father to all who would receive Him. There were some who believed in Him among the leaders of Israel, but for fear of man, they would not confess their faith. They wanted approval from the leaders more than the approval that came from pleasing God. Today, this same fear causes many to shrink back from a public commitment to follow Jesus. They believe in Him, but fear men and desire acceptance more than God’s approval. Because of this, they stay in darkness and miss the full revelation of light!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers boldly confess their faith in Jesus Christ, loving the approval of God over that of men. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
The kernel of wheat!
Scripture reading for April 22nd: John 12
As a farmer, I have put lots of seeds into the ground. In a sense, they are buried and die. But the seed has life inside of it. In the soil, it begins to germinate and sends out a shoot that soon breaks through the surface and a plant emerges! From that plant, more seeds will be produced so that another harvest will come. Wheat usually produces from fifty to one hundred more seeds from one!
“Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.”” (John 12:23-26) Jesus looked at His coming death as a “glorification”! He knew that as a seed is planted in the ground, He would be planted in the grave. He also knew that after three days, He would be resurrected in a glorified body! He knew that this would fulfill the plan of the Father and the purpose that He came to earth for–the salvation of those who would believe and follow Him!
“”But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die.” (John 12:31) The message of the cross is foolishness to those who love the world but the power of God to believers!