The Truth of God's Word (John 12:44-50)

Today's scripture: John 12:44-50

Have I mentioned how much I love God's word? It answers every question, calms every fear, encourages every uncertainty. It combats the lies of the enemy, addresses every argument, silences every disagreement.

We've talked about this before, but one argument that often comes up is that Jesus never claimed to be God. This is just so blatantly untrue. Many times (we've seen them in our study of John), Jesus said He and the Father were one. He makes this claim again in today's verses. When commenting on verse 44, Adam Clarke (one of my favorite commentators) wrote:

Here he asserts again his indivisible unity with the Father: he who believes on the Son believes on the Father; he who hath seen the Son hath seen the Father; he who honors the Son honors the Father. Though it was for asserting this (his oneness with God) that they were going to crucify him, yet he retracts nothing of what he had spoken, but strongly reasserts it, in the very jaws of death!

Jesus is God the Son. He is part of the triune God. He claimed it, and anyone who says differently hasn't read God's word.

Jesus goes on to talk about His being light in darkness, a metaphor I discussed last week. Then, in verse 50, Jesus speaks of His purpose. Again, I look to the wise words of Clarke for clarity:

This is the record, that God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life. God‘s commandment or commission is, Preach salvation to a lost world, and give thyself a ransom for all; and whosoever believeth on thee shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Every word of Christ, properly credited, and carefully applied, leads to peace and happiness here, and to glory hereafter. What an amiable view of the Gospel of the grace of God does this give us? It is a system of eternal life, Divinely calculated to answer every important purpose to dying, miserable man. This sacred truth Jesus witnessed with his last breath.

God's word, written through the pens of men, is relevant and true. It is, as the author of Hebrews wrote, "living and active" (4:12). It is inspired by God to be used to teach, for reproof, to correct, to train (2 Timothy3:16).

It is all we need to live godly lives, serving Him and others, and bringing glory to Him. Take time in His word today. And every day.

Relevant Words (John 12:36b-43)

Today's scripture: John 12:36b-43

I just so love how relevant the Bible is! Many say the Bible is old and dusty. Its words have no real meaning. It was written for a particular people and time, and it's not applicable for us today.

This is so far from the truth!

So often, I read God's words and then watch the news ... and the news completely supports the verses I've read. In addition, the Bible offers so many guidelines (loving others; thinking of others more highly than we do ourselves; not relying on worldly possessions) that are pertinent today. If only we would live by them ...

The Bible is also relevant when we look at how people respond to Jesus. Just in today's verses, we see two kinds of people: those who've seen the truth, yet choose not to believe; those who believe, but are afraid to tell others because of what they might say.

It breaks my heart to see how many people are walking away from the truth. I know several who were raised to know Jesus, who at one time committed their lives to Him. Yet now, in spite of how they've seen Jesus work, they've chosen not to believe. It breaks my heart as well to see those who continue to hear the truth, but they too refuse to believe. They've "hardened their hearts," just as the Bible says many will.

Then there are those who have put their faith in Jesus, yet they hide the truth from their friends and family. Why? Because they're afraid of what people might say. Will they make fun? Ridicule? Worse? Perhaps they live in an area where Christians are persecuted, so yes, they're afraid. But what about those who "love the approval of men rather than the approval of God"? It's one thing to hesitate to share one's faith because of the threat of torture or death (and really, how many of us face that?); it's something altogether different to not share because someone might tease or make fun.

We have been given the greatest gift: salvation. We have the privilege of a relationship with the Most High God. We have the greatest message.

Don't harden your heart. Look at the evidence. Let Jesus speak to you. Then commit yourself to the One who loves you beyond your comprehension. And tell others so they can accept the same gift.