Letters to the Prison - Week 143

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John 12.  Last week, Jesus claimed that his highest purpose is to glorify God’s name and the Father affirmed this purpose and responded –audibly:

• “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”-John 12:28

God’s ultimate purpose to glorify himself is a profound reality…  and perhaps not easy to swallow for some.  Even the most devout believers can get stuck thinking that God’s purpose is to do nice things for them… answer prayers the way they want them answered… protect them from difficult circumstances…  provide wealth and health and safety…  but God is clear:  He will be glorified (see Leviticus 10:1-3 for a dire example of this).  We could spend a long time considering the implications of this concept.  But to continue our study of John, we see people in the crowd had different opinions about what they heard when God spoke:

• The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” -John 12:29

So, many in the crowd at least heard something, but none of their opinions about the sound agreed with the truth --that God had spoken audibly and understandably.  This is a problem because, as we saw earlier in the chapter (John 12:12), many of these same people had just greeted Jesus as the “King of Israel.”  Yet they couldn’t perceive God speaking.  There was a disconnect somewhere in their understanding about who Jesus really is.  This problem is about to become more pronounced, as we will soon see.  Meanwhile, look how Jesus responds:

• “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. -John 12:30

God spoke in response to Jesus’ request.  Yet he did so for the sake of those gathered around Jesus.  Why?  So that they might believe.  God’s voice at this moment is one more validation that Jesus is exactly who he says he is.  Jesus has more to say about who he is and why he came:

• 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”     -John 12:31-32

There is a lot going on in these verses.  We’ll look at them more closely next week, but for the moment consider what Jesus has said about himself here:

First, Jesus has claimed that the world and its ruler are judged… and cast out.  This presumes a supreme level of authority on Jesus’ part... over the world and the ruler of the world.  Who on earth would seriously speak in this way?  Further, Jesus claims that he will be “lifted up” from the earth.  This has a bunch of meanings that we will look at next week.  Jesus claims that he will “draw all people to himself.”  This claims a purpose and a role that goes beyond any normal human limitations.  Jesus is claiming a power, authority, and purpose here that is far beyond what any normal person would ever claim for themselves.

So, Jesus has made some amazing claims about himself.  But the question remains:  Do you believe him?  As our study continues, we will see how important belief is.  We love you!

Dean A.