Tag: last day
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!