Saturday 24th August
Read John 12:47-48
“‘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.” (NIVUK)
Sometimes it is hard to read the gospels. Jesus says things that you could almost be persuaded are the direct opposite of statements He has made earlier. Consider His conversation with the Jewish leaders early in His ministry.
“Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father, who sent him. 24 ‘Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.” (John 5:22-27) (NIVUK)
One has to consider Jesus’ words very carefully indeed to avoid coming to the conclusion that there are contradictions everywhere!
Jesus did not come with the express purpose to bring judgement. He came to bring salvation. The reality is though that He is the One to whom judgement has been granted and one’s response to His words, if they are not believed, results in judgement. As James warned his readers, those who are only hearers of His words and not doers will find themselves in a fair bit of trouble. For the words they heard but did not heed will condemn them.
All Jesus is saying as He concludes His public teaching ministry is that His words are incredibly powerful. They proclaim life and forgiveness to those who believe Him, but condemnation and wrath for those who do not. Are we hearers and doers is the constant message of the New Testament authors – for only walking down that path is life found.
