The Gospel of John Lesson 48 (09-29-2013) John 12:44-13:1

The Gospel of John Lesson 48 (09-29-2013)

Lesson 48 – John 12:44-13:1

In our last lesson we saw Jesus make His last public offer and plea to Israel’s religious leaders and those at large. We see John tell us that largely again His message was rejected, as was prophesied by Isaiah, those rejecting His message choosing rather to remain in darkness (Jn. 12:27-41). However, in v. 42 of John chapter 12 John tells us that Jesus’ message and plea was not totally unprofitable. John tells us that even though many rejected His offer many also even of the authorities believed. However, of those that believed they resisted to come out boldly and publically in declaring their faith because they loved the praise of men more than the encouragement and praise from God.

But, in v. 44 Jesus begins to lay down the foundation of their faith challenging them with the truth calling them to come out of the darkness of the praise of man. He gives them a much bigger picture to hold onto stating boldly that if they receive Him in reality they are receiving God the Father. This is a bold statement separating the claims of the two sides for both sides cannot legitimately claim connection to the Father. Only one can. By making this claim Jesus challenges them to make up their mind and embrace the truth calling them out of the false security of the praise of men essentially saying that you cannot serve two masters and that He offered in reality the only way to the Father.

In v. 44 His claim was that He had been send directly from the Father. The other choice, the other side, offered an opinion about God filtered through the darkness of man’s heart which Jesus Himself renounced. In v. 45 He goes right to the top. Some would say that He was claiming to be the exact replica of God, but this was not so, for in claiming to be a replica as exact as it may be it still would not be an original.

 Jesus’ claim and call to them was much higher than this. Jesus’ call to them was to believe on Him in the highest and most genuine way claiming not only to be an ambassador for God, but claiming to be God. This was the belief that He was calling these new immature believers too, for in receiving this message the praise of man would not be so important.

In v. 46 again He challenges them to step forward and make a definite and decisive move into the light telling them that He is the way of light and if they truly were His followers then they must move from the darkness of their old dead ways into the light. Same action same result, different action different result. For those who had truly believed their life must change being transformed into a life of light.

This was His call to them! And, it was a call given to them with emotion. V. 44 says that He cried this out so that all could hear. Can you imagine what this scene looked like? Those that had truly believed would hear His challenge and move to the light even though for some it took some time to get there. He would lead, but they must follow. His call was to a new life clearly leaving behind their old dark ways. (Eph. 2:1-10)

In vs. 47 and 48 He reminds them of His purpose in coming at this time. He tells them that there will definitely be a judgment day, but that that is not His purpose in coming at this time. He tells them that His purpose in coming at this time was to offer them Hope. That was why He came to them, to Jerusalem and the nation Israel. He came with an offer of peace riding on a donkey a symbol of peace. He tells them that the words of light that He has spoken to them will in the end judge all that reject it, that is rejecting His offer, and that doing nothing does nothing, allowing one to remain in the darkness that they are presently in. Again, it is interesting that the word itself that declares God’s standard will be the measure and the judge.

The Apostle John made this clear earlier in chapter 3 of this Gospel, vs. 17-21, telling us clearly that God did not send His Son into the world at this time to condemn those in the world telling us that His coming at this time was to offer a way of salvation, in other words, a way out.

In John 3:17-21, as is the theme throughout this Gospel, even though Jesus did not come at this time to pronounce and pass judgment that they all already stood condemned being already in darkness. The condition was present, for those who continued to reject His message judgment would indeed eventually come. His call or message in John 3 is the same as here in the end of chapter 12…calling those in darkness to come…come to the light of God who came with an offer of a pardon and the passage into a new life before… it is too late.

In the remaining part of chapter 12 of John He again tells them that it is these words of light that will judge those who reject His offer and not move into the light. He tells them that’s where these words and message came from…from the Light. He tells them that the Father Himself had sent Him and that the message, even though He was in complete agreement with it, originated with the Father, the one they claimed to know. Jesus was the Messenger and was a completely obedient servant speaking only the message given to Him to declare. No more, on less. They needed to listen.

In v. 50 Jesus says something that is very powerful. He tells us that the commandment and message that He was given is Life…Forever…Eternal, containing no darkness at all and that they should not take His offer lightly. Did they realize what He was really offering? Do we?? We, as they were, are much too casual concerning His offer and the difference that it can make in our life as well as others. Jesus makes it clear that doing nothing only allows one to remain in darkness awaiting, in the end, God’s judgment.

John Chapter 13

These are exciting times in the Gospel of John. Now only one day or literally hours away from the cross Jesus has His final meal with His disciples. Even with so much before Him He doesn’t lose a moment in laying down and leaving with them the key principles of living in His Kingdom. We know from Jn. 12:31 that the Kingdom now is as good as here. True, the final blow has not been dealt as yet, but in Jn. 12:31 the Apostle John tells us that to Jesus it was as good as done. It is like an election that is over in November. The final vote has been cast and the outcome has been tallied so the outcome is complete and sure even though the one elected and his administration will not officially assume office until January.

However, unlike our example, in Jesus’ case in Jn. 12:31 He was only a few days away from assuming the office given to Him by the Father. He and His Kingdom would very soon take its rightful position on earth, a position and change that the old ruler and administration would not easily give up.

Over the next few chapters we will see Jesus share with His disciples and followers some incredible principles concerning how this new Administration will function and work. It will be a Kingdom and Administration like no other. Unlike the present government and world system that is largely self serving, this new government and administration will truly be for the benefit of the people being founded on laws and principles that are good and right having practical application and benefit, i.e. love your neighbor as yourself and the Ten Commandments.

The prophet Isaiah warned us of this in Is. 9:6-7 telling us that this Kingdom to come would be an everlasting one, never ending, established by God Himself. This was the Kingdom also that our Lord taught His disciples to pray for when He taught them to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven”. His disciples understood what Jesus was saying concerning this coming Kingdom for we see them ask Him plainly of this after Jesus’ resurrection in Acts 1:6. Now the Kingdom is literally at the doorstep awaiting those for who it was prepared.

He begins in v. 1 of chapter 13 by making a distinction between what is termed as His own or subjects of His Kingdom and those that are of this world. In our world, as it has been throughout time, the message of this world is that we are all one…all brothers, all members of one family. However, over the next few chapters Jesus again will make the clear distinction that this is not so, making the distinction between those that are His, children of the Kingdom, differentiating them from those that are truly of this world and its system who are following the prince referred to in Jn. 12:31. This is not the first time that Jesus has made this distinction in this Gospel.