John - Week 39

Trust in the Light 

READ 

John 12:34-36 

34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?” 35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them. 

The crowd expected the Messiah to be the king of Israel. They said they understood such from the Scriptures. How could He possibly be the king when He now was predicting His death? Jesus contrasted light with darkness and the people were urged to put their trust in the light while there was still time. The decision was up to the individual and after saying this He went away. 

REFLECT 

Have you, like the crowd, had notions about Jesus that were dispelled as you read more of the revelation God has given to us? Be thankful that God’s completed revelation is now available in the Bible whereas it wasn’t when He was addressing the crowds of His day. 

RESPOND 

The emphasis Jesus placed on light and darkness in this passage is common in other passages. Read 1 John 1:5-10, which also tells how to return to fellowship with God when it has been broken in the family of God.  

Hardened Hearts 

READ 

John 12:37-40 

37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. 38 This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “Lord, who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?” 39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said, 40 “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts—so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them.” 

Have you heard of some today who would say they would believe if they could just see a valid miracle? Although those during the earthly life of Jesus saw many of them, most of those who saw did not believe. Remember that an even stronger witness about God is not a miracle but His written Word. 

REFLECT 

Think of what a spiritual treasure you have in the Bible you hold. The 66 books have been breathed out by God Himself and recorded by those God guided in selecting the right words to convey His message. 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4 to see the value of the Word of God and how it should be used. Record three items about how this passage will influence what you teach. 

The Messiah's Glory 

READ 

John 12:41-43 

41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory. 42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. 

Notice how the Old Testament tells of Jesus. By the inspiration of God, Isaiah wrote something he could not fully understand at the time of writing. In verse 40, Isaiah was quoted as saying, “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts—so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them.” Now verse 41 says this was a reference to Jesus. Although the masses did not believe in Jesus as Messiah and Savior, some did. Although for fear of the Jewish leaders they said little about their faith. 

REFLECT 

As you read the Old Testament, be aware that it is really telling about Jesus. It is not so clear to the reader until he checks the New Testament to see how some of these prophecies were fulfilled.  

RESPOND 

Read Luke 24:13-27 to see how Jesus, after His resurrection, referred to the Old Testament as revealing truths about Him. Read even farther in the chapter to see how He was revealed to others. 

Save, Not Judge 

READ 

John 12:44-47 

44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.” 

Jesus emphasized that one cannot separate Him from the heavenly Father. One cannot believe in one of them without also believing in the other. Jesus is the light of the world who came to deliver people from spiritual darkness. Some might view Him as a judge, but Jesus emphasized that His purpose in coming was to save the world, not judge it. Of course, only those who believe in Him as Savior will be spared final judgment.  

REFLECT 

One of the greatest messages you can give others is that freedom from final judgment is available to all who will trust in Jesus as Savior. Pray about who may be ready to receive this message, and ask God to bring them across your path.  

RESPOND 

Read and compare John 1:1-5 and 1 John 1:5-7; 2:8-10 that tell who is living in the light and who is living in darkness. Does your life look like one who is walking in the light? 

Love and Judgment 

READ 

John 12:48-50 

48 “But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” 

Some think that God is only a God of love and would not punish anyone or send anyone to a Christ-less eternity. But notice that Jesus said those who reject His message would be judged. To believe in Jesus is to have eternal life, this is the message from both Him and the heavenly Father. This is because the same message comes from the Father and the Son. The Son only said and revealed what the Father said. 

REFLECT 

Be sure to tell others that God is a God of love, but don’t neglect to graciously tell them that those who reject His Son as Savior will experience judgment from the holy God. We can do many good things for others, but no one can do enough good to meet God’s holy standards. The only way to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ, as John 14:6 says. 

RESPOND 

For those who think Jesus never gets upset over wrongdoing, see Matthew 21:12-13. For those who think they can avoid God’s judgment by rejecting His Son, call to their attention John 3:16-21.