Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “The Word Saves” and it is based on John 12:44-50.
As we have already seen, John’s introduction presents Jesus as God incarnate or in the flesh. In today’s study text, John presents one of Jesus’s own testimonies concerning Himself. In this particular testimony Jesus makes the following claims.
Jesus states that He is a representative of someone who has sent Him. Therefore, anyone who believes what He is saying is also believing the One who sent Him. Jesus then testifies that He and the One who sent Him are One.
He declares that there is no real difference between Him and the One who sent Him. It is sort of like two pair of shoes that may have some cosmetic differences to the point that someone may believe they have a different shoe but it is the same shoe. In other words, the key components and design of the shoe are the same. They may just look different on the outside. Jesus says He and the One who sent Him are the same shoe.
Jesus testifies that His reason for coming into the world was and is to bring light. The light Jesus is referring to is the light of understanding, of truth and of knowledge. The darkness He refers to is the lack of these things.
Jesus testifies that the people who hear but do not believe His words will be judged, but that is not why He came. Instead of coming into the world the judge the world, he came to save it. Jesus testifies that His word will serve as its own judge upon those who rejected Him and His word in the last day or day of judgement.
He repeats that He has not come or spoken on His own authority, but He has been told what to say by the Father who sent Him. And one of the things the Father has told Him to say is that everlasting life is His command for those who believe Him.
There are other similar passages in the gospel of John where Jesus testifies or discloses His identity and mission.
In summary, to see and believe Jesus is to see and believe the One who sent Him. He came into the world to give light to those who are in darkness. His mission was and is not to judge, but to save. His words will judge those who hear them. He only speaks what and says what the Father who sent Him has given Him to say.
Among the things He was given to say is a commandment of everlasting life to those who believe. Today’s study is a testimony of who and what Jesus said concerning Himself. It is one of several in the gospel of John.
Well, be sure to look over the study again and come prepared to offer your comments, questions and perspective on the meaning of the study. If you can’t attend your own Sunday School class this Sunday, you can join us live and online at 9:00 am at www.fbmbc.org and clicking the online services link.
You can also join us live by dialing 508 924-2890. If you have any comments or questions, be sure to place them in the comment section or you can share them on Sunday. So, let’s all have a great lesson and discussion this Sunday and remember to fear God and keep His commandments.
Pastor Jordan
