Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: John 12:44-50 and Psalm 27

These are the last words Jesus spoke to the general public in John’s Gospel, so they warrant close attention. I see in them a summary of His ministry, and here’s what I understand Him to be saying.

Jesus came to shine a perfectly clear light of revelation, so that anyone who pays attention to Him will see the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth about God. He has perfectly represented God to us. He has lived as the perfect “radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). So, to listen to Jesus is to hear the voice of God. To look at Jesus is to see the face of God. To trust in Jesus is to trust God.

Now, for the people of His day this was very literal and physical. But for us, it would be accurate to say that if we read the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels, we are reading the very words of God. If we closely observe the works of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels, we are witnessing God in action. And the picture we form of the nature and character of Jesus through our honest and submissive observation, will be a picture of the nature and character of God.

Jesus goes on to say that if we will accept His revelation of God, and if we will trust it (and Him) enough to live our lives in the light thereof, we will find ourselves living an eternally, abundant life (v.50).

Finally Jesus says that our response to His revelation is its own judgment. Trust His revelation enough to live in the light thereof and you will walk in abundance of life. Ignore His words, and His abundance of life will pass you by. There’s no need for an external judge. Our response (and the outcome thereof) is its own judge.

Lord Jesus, as we think about these deep things today, lead us into all truth we pray. Help us to see You more clearly, to love You more deeply, and to live more faithfully in the light of Your truth. Amen.