Letters to the Prison - Week 148

Hello, everyone.  We’ve been studying John 12 for 13 weeks.  Thanks for hanging in there!  We’re about to examine the last few verses.  In them, Jesus lays out some stunning claims about himself and about the reality of our circumstance as humans and as Christians.  Take a moment to read John 12:47-50:
  • 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. 48 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. 49 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. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” -John 12:47-50

And then, read them again…  and then maybe a few more times.  As this chapter closes, we need to sit long with the implications of what Jesus has just said.  Let’s review some key points:
  • God the Father has told Jesus what to say about his redemptive plan to save the world.
  • Jesus is obediently saying it.
  • Therefore, Jesus is speaking words of eternal life with God’s authority.
  • Those words are ultimately what will judge everyone who does not receive them.

Jesus, knowing this, is speaking those words clearly and with authority so that the people who hear, receive, and keep them might be saved.

Friends, this is as plain as it gets.  Jesus is clearly speaking plain words.  His message is clear.  His authority is clear.  Our responsibility is clear.  Therefore, the choice is clear:  Yes or No.  These are stunning claims…  massive truths… profound promises… What will we do?  

It is our greatest hope that everyone who hears Jesus’ words will receive them and keep them.
Is that you?  If you’ve received Jesus’ words, and you believe that he is indeed who he says he is, and you are now striving to keep those words by applying them to your life, you, dear friend, are causing Heaven to rejoice:
  • Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. -Luke 15:7

These words are redemptive truth… spoken obediently by Jesus… under the authority of God.
We could take this sense of divine authority and urgent need for our obedience to every word Jesus speaks.  In fact, we should.  If you happen to be the proud owner of a “red letter” Bible (one that highlights all of Jesus’ words by printing them in red), we encourage you to browse through and settle on one sentence…  just one verse that Jesus has spoken… and consider it in light of the claims Jesus has made here at the end of chapter 12.  Consider how that one sentence you’ve found impacts the choices you’re making today… and tomorrow.  Apply it to your life.

Jesus is about to do this very thing as we move into chapter 13.  We’ll begin looking at that next week!  We love you.

Dean A.

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