John 12:44-50

1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes) 



2) Scripture Reading: John 12:44-50

44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

3) Devotional: This passage at the end of John 12 is really, in a way, Jesus Himself summarizing the words and activity of the preceding chapters of John: to believe in Jesus is to believe in God Himself (verse 45), Jesus is the Light of the world (verse 46), He did not come to judge the world (verse 47), and Jesus does not speak on His own but with the mind and authority of God the Father (verse 49), who has sent Christ into the world to save it and offer it hope.

            So in reality, in the closing words of John 12, and before we move on to the events of the final week of Jesus’ ministry before the crucifixion, we see a summary statement- a balance sheet, if you will- of Jesus’ incarnate, public life and ministry- why He came, and the motivation behind everything He did.

           

4) Questions to Consider: If someone were to summarize your life- why you are here, and what you have done with the time, relationships, and resources at your disposal, what would that “balance sheet” look like? Does it read like you would want it to? How might you change how it reads for the better in the days ahead?

5) Prayer: Jesus, You came to this earth with purpose, and You fulfilled it. Give me the clarity, strength, and courage to live fully in the purpose you have planned for me, so that the summary statement of my life would clearly point to You and point others to You. Amen.

Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)

John 12:37-43

1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes) 

2) Scripture Reading: John 12:37-43
³⁷ Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. ³⁸ This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

   “Lord, who has believed our message
   and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
 ³⁹ For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
 ⁴⁰ “He has blinded their eyes
   and deadened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
   nor understand with their hearts,
   nor turn—and I would heal them.”
 ⁴¹ Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.
 ⁴² Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; ⁴³ for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

3) Devotional: 
Here we see the Jews continue in their unbelief.  No matter what they saw, they still would not believe in Jesus.  But for those that did believe could not say it publicly because they didn't want to face any consequences if they expressed their belief in Jesus Christ.  I think verses 42 & 43 are a challenge to many of us.  It's hard to express truth in situations where you don't want to offend someone.  You may think your faith may cause division in relationships you have with others.  I think our minds tend to hijack when we are faced with situations where you have the opportunity to express your faith.  Our minds play out a whole scenario of "if I say this then so-and-so will say that and then things will get awkward and our time together will be ruined".  Does that ever happen to you?  Don't let your mind take you places that are far from reality.  Think on the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Phil. 4:8).  If you are in a situation where you believe your faith will be opposed, bathe that relationship in prayer.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you guidance in words and for your thoughts to be focused on Christ and what he brings to us - an abundant life.  

4) Questions to Consider:
What relationships do you need to bathe in prayer?  What "scenarios of your mind" need to be thrown out so that your mind can focus on God's truth?

5) Prayer: Lord Jesus, help take captive of thoughts that aren't of you or aren't pleasing to you.  Break free the binds of my unbelief in situations where I am scared to speak freely of my faith. Help me to express my love for you to others no matter what.  I want to please you and honor you and bring glory to Your name.  Amen.

Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)