John…on Love

As parents we always try to have the last word with our kids, don’t we? But our meaningful last words are often met with, “Yeah, but”….Then a debate ensues and we try to explain our reasons for behaving all over again. Frustrating, isn’t it? Jesus had the same problems of frustration in this next passage of explaining to believers, believers who were to scared to speak up, and to those who were blind and hard hearted with indifference to God and what God was telling Jesus, His Son who came to be light in the dark.

Does that still go on today? You bet. Question is…what category do we fall in? Believe but afraid to speak up for we need the approval of men and women over God? Believe but too timid to speak up for Truth? Impressed with Jesus as Savior and come to Him with our needs, but resist letting go and letting Him be Lord of all our lives? Just don’t care and don’t believe anymore because things are not working out like we planned? Or trust in the Lord with all our hearts? There are really only two categories: Believe and we will be saved…or not.

Let’s read Jesus’ last word on this…

John 12, The Message
Their Eyes Are Blinded
36-40 Jesus said all this, and then went into hiding. All these God-signs he had given them and they still didn’t get it, still wouldn’t trust him. This proved that the prophet Isaiah was right:

God, who believed what we preached?
Who recognized God’s arm, outstretched and ready to act?
First they wouldn’t believe, then they couldn’t—again, just as Isaiah said:

Their eyes are blinded,
their hearts are hardened,
So that they wouldn’t see with their eyes
and perceive with their hearts,
And turn to me, God,
so I could heal them.
41 Isaiah said these things after he got a glimpse of God’s cascading brightness that would pour through the Messiah.

42-43 On the other hand, a considerable number from the ranks of the leaders did believe. But because of the Pharisees, they didn’t come out in the open with it. They were afraid of getting kicked out of the meeting place. When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God’s glory.

44-46 Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.

47-50 “If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”

“The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word.”

Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Word made flesh. You are the beginning and the end, alpha and omega. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. You are everything to me. I love You with all my heart, mind and soul. I will stay focused on You, ready to move at the slightest nod of your head as a servant to the King would do. I’m yours. You are God and I am not. Continue to be with us, guiding our every thought and action. In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.