 John 12:42-50Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” [John 12:42-50 NKJV] Jesus quoted Isaiah in asking “Who has believed our report?” — who believes this message. This passage acknowledges that many did believe, even among the rulers. We know that Nicodemus (see John 3) was most likely one of them, but their fear of man (and specifically the Pharisees) led them to keep such beliefs to themselves. They were too attached to their position in society and their reputations to acknowledge Jesus openly. Also, Jesus claiming that He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me, and His out-working explanation of that statement, will have undoubtedly angered many. Jesus speaks truth — He will not and cannot do otherwise — and tells those present that God tells Him what to say. All this polarises opinion (and thus belief) — either Jesus speaks truth or He is deluded. His boldness in declaring that He comes as a light into the world, suggests that He has ‘a big hit for Himself’ to the natural man — who will not or cannot open his mind to the reality or super-reality of Jesus. What Jesus brings from God can be understood on many levels, but all boil down to the same report/message — God is in control and Jesus is our only link to Him. Jesus was sent to bring salvation/healing if only we will enter The Kingdom; this super-reality of The Spirit, which is unseen but available to all right now and for ever. Hallelujah!  How anxious we are to serve God and our fellow men! Jesus our Lord says we must pay attention to the Source — believe in Him, and He will look after the outflow. He has promised that there shall be rivers of living water, but we must not look at the outflow, nor rejoice in successful service. “Rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20 KJV). Belief in Jesus is the thing to heed; and through that commission, believers in Jesus are to make disciples. [from ‘Approved Unto God”]  
‘A Wonderful Saviour Is Jesus My Lord’ — Free Presbyterian Church, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland  Comments are closed.
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