You are here: Home / EMAIL DISCIPLESHIP SERIES / HIGHLIGHTS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN / John 12:48-50

The Father Speaks

“Pray that your eyes may be opened, that you may receive sight, that you may know yourself and be brought to God’s feet, and that you may see the glory of God and Christ, may be raised from the dead, and have the love of Christ shed abroad in your heart. Those that have most of these things still need to pray for them; for there so much blindness and hardness and pride and death remaining that they still need to have that work of God upon them, further to enlighten and enliven them. This will be a further bringing out of darkness into God’s marvelous light, and a kind of new conversion.” -Jonathan Edwards, Advice to Young Converts

“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12:48-50)

God spoke decisively and finally through His Son. To reject the Word of Jesus is be to reject the Word of God the Father. Jesus said the following regarding this truth:

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. (John 14:10)

The writer of Hebrews says:

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
-John 7:16-17

Jesus gave proof of His union with the Father in three ways–through His character, through His words, and through the miracles He performed. Our obedience to Jesus will grow out of our love for Him and out of our love for His Word. He tells us that if we love Him we will obey Him. When we obey Him the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit abide with us–equipping us to both hear and heed the Lord’s will.

Jesus came first to offer salvation to the whole world–we are at fault if we reject the truth. Nothing is more dreadful than abused patience and grace that is constantly trampled on. There will be a certain and unavoidable future judgment on those refusing to believe the teaching of Jesus – the day of the righteous judgment of God. The very Words Christ spoke will themselves judge those who willingly choose not to believe them. The idea behind the word “reject” in our verses for today is one of despising–deliberating refusing to acknowledge Him as the Messiah in spite of all the miracles He performed–nor will he embrace in his heart the doctrines preached by our Lord. The rejection and unbelief of those who despise our Lord will not go unpunished no matter what people choose to believe.

He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
-John 14:24

It will be impossible to deny the truth and wisdom and mercy of Jesus’ words on the last day and they will be used against those who despised Him. This will leave them speechless, unanswerable to the words of Christ. Be assured, the Words of Christ never fall to the ground–they are always operative. Scripture tell us:

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

“I’m seeing how robust and cogent, how versatile, sweeping and effective is the message and life of our Jesus. He fits. He is not ‘foreign’ to any person no matter their origins. His teachings work in ANY culture. His Being and Life resonates to all who hear of Him, to all who hear Him. He infuses and changes us forever.”
-Paula Kirby

The writer of Hebrews states this truth as well:

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Take It to Heart

Our Lord warns us that it is a serious sin to refuse His words. We are to take heed. These were not our Lord’s Words alone, but the very Words of God the Father. Jesus was sent to this earth with a commission of what to say and speak to men. He spoke the true counsel of the Most Holy God.

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
-2 Timothy 1:11-12

Jesus states emphatically that He knows His command leads to eternal life. Peter was thoroughly convinced that Jesus’ words lead to life and rightly confessed:

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)

We must live as those who believe in the truth of the judgment, and of heaven, and of hell. Jesus deserves our all! We can never serve God too much! Christ died for us–nothing is too great for us to do for Him.

Previous – Next