Today's Scripture
The Light of the World John 12:44-50
44 Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. 47 I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, 49 for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.”
RJ's Devotion
What does the passage say?
V. 44-46 the reason why Jesus came to this world was to shine the light upon the world. Whoever believes in Jesus, we considered believing in God.
V. 47-49 Jesus clarifies that he did not come to judge the world. However, he also declares that whoever doesn’t follow will face the judge.
V. 50 Jesus says that he is obedient to God’s will.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
“If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection” (v. 47-48 The Message).
I believe Peterson well interpreted Jesus’ word, in the Message Bible. Jesus’ mission was to invite people to be part of God’s kingdom. His ministry focused on proclaiming the kingdom and inviting the people to be part of it. His main goal wasn’t to judge the world.
However, it does not take away the fact that God is a God of justice. Because of the nature of God is just, there is consequence of our rejection. Remember, the first sin, which separated us with God for eternity, after all; was disobedience.
Jesus came to redeem the disobedience of the people.
Jesus came to invite people not to fall into the same trap.
Jesus came to remind us that our mission is to shine the light of Jesus to the world, not running away from our mission.
When we refine our focus and mission, that is when what Jesus proclaims becomes our mission.
“Whoever believes in me (Jesus) believes not (only) in me (Jesus) but in him who sent me(Jesus). 45 And whoever sees me (Jesus through our life) sees him who sent me. 46 I (Jesus) have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me (Jesus) should not remain in the darkness.” And we have the same call for the world.
Prayer
Light of the world you came down to the darkness of our life. As you shined the light into our world, help us to shine your light to others today.
In Christ name, we pray, AMEN.
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