Thoughts for the Day
Wednesday, 6th May 2020: Jesus came to save, not judge the world
John Chapter 12 Eternal Life Judgement Heavenly Father God Light Jesus
Reading : Verses from John, Chapter 12
Then Jesus cried aloud: 'Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judgement on the last day. The word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.'
(New Revised Standard Version)
Thoughts
Have you ever bought something that was amazingly cheap, that turned out to be complete rubbish? I'm sure we all have at some time or other. I also seem to remember being taught at some stage that if an offer is too good, then it probably is no good; in other words it's too good to be true!
So, are Jesus' words that He came "as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in...(him) should not remain in darkness," and "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world," too good to be true?
Well, Jesus makes an offer on behalf of His Father. We are offered "eternal life" from God who loves us. Jesus says He won't condemn us if we don't take up the offer, because He came to give love not condemnation, but He warns us there will be "a judgement on the last day". In other words if we don't believe then that will be held against us one day.
Looking at this rationally (and admittedly from the perspective of having taken up the offer over 60 years ago), I know which I would choose! What have we got to lose?
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You brought a commandment from the Father
offering us light in a dark world,
together with the promise of eternal life.
When faith is difficult and life is hard,
help us to remember this offer of love,
and continually renew our commitment to You.
Amen.
Explore the idea of being saved:
- When were you saved from something - e.g. falling in the river, or making a mistake on your computer? Think of a time you felt you were saved.
- How did you feel after you knew you were safe?
- Did anything change in the future (i.e. did you stay away from slippery river banks, or what?)
Look up these bible verses, to understand more about how we are saved:
- Matthew Chapter 19.25-26
- Ephesians 2.8-9
- Acts 16.30-31