John 12:37-50
Q.1. What explanation did John give regarding the patchy response to the claims of Christ? Does this explanation still apply? – (Jn.12:37-43)
Only eight people out of millions (perhaps billions) of people, prior to Noah’s Flood, embraced the truth (see 1 Pet.3:20). The record shows that there has always been and will always be a rejection of the truth (see Mt.7:13-14; 24:10-13; Lk.18:8b). However, what Isaiah wrote here, especially applied to the ministry of Christ – These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him (Jn.12:41). John records the solemn warnings Jesus repeated from the prophet Isaiah – “Lord, who has believed our report and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (Jn.12:38). God would hold these people accountable because Jesus had performed so many credible signs and miracles (see Jn.12:37). Since the nation treated the truth with such carelessness, God actually blinded their yes and hardened their hearts, lest they be converted (see Jn.12:40). Though some of the leaders actually believed, they were unproductive – for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God (Jn.12:43). It is a solemn reminder and warning that we must not distort but rather apply the truth to our lives.
Q.2. What did Jesus claim about His relationship with the Father? What difference will our response to His claims make? – (Jn.12:44-50)
Jesus declared that to believe in Him and to see Him, was equivalent to believing in and seeing the Fathe (see Jn.12:44-45). This was in line with the role assigned to Jesus by the Father – I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness (Jn.12:46). In fact – … I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world (Jn.12:47). Since Jesus did not come on His own initiative and only spoke what He was commanded to speak from the Father – … the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day (Jn.12:48). Unlike deceitful humans, God only speaks the absolute truth. He never needs to retract or change what He has spoken. The Word of God recorded in the sixty-six books of the Bible will be an indelible witness against sinners. It is only by receiving the Saviour that we will be able to stand at the judgment and be clothed in His righteousness and thus be acquitted of the guilt of our sin. As Jesus declared – “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore, the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me (Jn.12:50). God sent His Son to ‘flesh out’ His gospel bringing eternal life to lost sinners (see Jn.1:12-18. 3:16-18)