A GOSPEL SUMMARY

JOHN 12:44–50

“And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak”

(John 12:50).

Verses 44–50 are a summary of Jesus’ public teaching, and they are interpreted in various passages elsewhere in John’s gospel. First, Jesus stated that whoever believes in Him does not believe in Him but in the One who sent Him (13:20, 7:16; 8:19, 42). In essence, knowing Christ means knowing the Father. Loving Christ means loving the Father. Receiving Christ means receiving the Father. If you want to know God, the only way is through Jesus Christ because “I and My Father are one” (10:30).

Second, when one is looking intently and constantly upon Jesus, one notices how in His words and works the glory of the Father is reflected. With the eye of faith, one is looking upon the Father, the One who sent Him. They share the same work, the same honor, and the same glory. The two cannot be separated. You cannot assume to love and serve God while denying the Son and living in disobedience to His commands.

Third, Christ is the light that has come into the world. God’s promises are for those who believe, and to be sure, the Gospel is proclaimed to a larger circle. But the illumination of those who do not accept Jesus by faith is merely outward. In their hearts the darkness remains. If anything, that darkness becomes more intense. Only when the light shines into their hearts by the power of the Word will they see the truth.

Fourth, Jesus declared that “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.” This was Christ’s purpose—to save a lost world that was already under condemnation.

Fifth, those who reject Christ will be judged accordingly. The very word that Christ speaks will bring judgment. This judgment does not come by Christ’s own authority but on the authority of the One who sent Him (7:16, 3:11; 8:26; 14:10).

Lastly, the instruction given to Jesus was to procure, reveal, and proclaim everlasting life. Anything else is secondary. We, as His church, must keep this ever before us, that our primary task is to glorify God by spreading the Gospel so that the lost might be found, that the dead might rise again (3:16).

CORAM DEO

Psalm 62–64

Romans 1

Read through John 12:44–50 several times. If someone asked you who Jesus was, what He taught, and why He came, answer them using this text (but answer in your own words). Look up the corresponding verses listed in today’s study to help you with your answer. Be ready to use this text as you share the Gospel.

For further study: Matt. 7:24–26 • James 2:14–26 • 1 John 2:24–27