Lesson 77


The Gospel of John

World English Bible translation

 Today's Scripture

12:44 Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 12:45 He who sees me sees him who sent me. 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. 12:47 If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn't believe, I don't judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 12:48 He who rejects me, and doesn't receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day. 12:49 For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 12:50 I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak."


 Today's Lesson 

The rest of the Gospel of John can be divided into three sections: 1) The Upper Room Discourses, 2) The Trial and Crucifixion, and 3) The Resurrection. Before these begin, the author gives a summary of the teachings of Jesus. This short speech contains much of what has already been said throughout the teaching ministry of Jesus and emphasizes the unity of the Father and the Son.

 

The first two statements of Jesus remind His listeners that He has been "sent". The mission of Jesus was not of His own making. He was given a job to accomplish. There can be no doubt by the reader of this document by now that, in Jesus mind, the one who sent Him was the Father in heaven. Jesus said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. He who sees me sees him who sent me."

 

In these two statements, Jesus reiterates the union of the Father and the Son. To see Christ is to see God. To believe that Jesus is Lord is to believe that God sent Him and that He speaks for God. The purpose of the Father and the purpose of the Son are the same. They are inseparable and unified.

 

He then repeats His teaching about being the light of the world. "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." Throughout this Gospel, the imagery of light and darkness has been prominent. The revelation of God, the truth revealed by the Son, is light. Whoever receives the Son is full of light and does not walk in the darkness. Whoever denies the Son remains in darkness.

 

Jesus repeats that He has not come into the world to judge the world. He has said this in several ways before. The world stands accused. The world has already been judged. It did not need another judge. The world needed a savior. Jesus came into the world, not as a judge, but as a savior. He brings with Him the Truth. Truth will judge those who have believed God's message. The word of Truth that Jesus has spoken will cleave humanity like a sharp sword, separating the righteous from the unrighteous.

 

The reason that the word that Jesus has spoken has such authority is because it has come from the Father. Another of the recurring themes of the Gospel of John is that everything that Jesus did and said was given to Him to do and say from the Father. This is the proper role of the child of God. The true child of the Father will do and say the things that the Father has showed him. The Father teaches us to forgive by forgiving us of all of our sins. The true child of God puts that into practice by forgiving others. The Father teaches us love by loving us. The true child of God reflects that same love into the lives of those around him.

 

This is how Jesus lived when He was among us. The things that the Father told Him, He told to His disciples. The things that the Father showed Him to do, He did. To hear the Son was to hear the words of the Father. To see the Son in action was to see the Father.

 

Heavenly Father, polish the surface of my soul until the world can see your face in mine, until my every act reflects your own. Let me never know peace until the world can see your peace in me. Guide me, Oh Lord, until I may walk within your footsteps, dance within your measure, and sing with your voice. Amen.

 

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