Devotional GuideA Harsh Warning
John 12:44-50
Monday March 8
John 12:44 - 50; Psalm 123:2; Matthew 27:50; John 7:28, 37
Addressing unbelief, and the unwillingness of some of those who believed to publicly confess their faith, Jesus "cried out." -- the Greek verb is kradzo, referring the croak of a raven, meaning a loud, penetrating cry. It is the verb used of Jesus’ warning cry to the religious leaders previously in John 7, and of Jesus cry when He yielded up His life on the cross. When Jesus yells at us, we had better pay attention!
Think About It: What does Jesus tell us about God the Father in John 12:44 - 50? What is the only way that I can see God the Father (cf. 1 Timothy 6:16)?
Prayer: That I might pay close attention to what Jesus says.
Tuesday March 9
John 12:44 - 50; Matthew 18:11; Luke 9:56; John 3:17; 8:26
In John 12:44 - 50, Jesus repeats claims about Himself that He made previously. Sometimes we have to hear things several times before they make an impression on us.
Think About It: What does Jesus tell us about Himself in John 12:44 - 50? What will be the basis for the judgment of those who reject Jesus? Why will those who are judged have no cause for complaint? From where did Jesus get the words that He spoke?
Prayer: Praise God that He provides me with the opportunity for salvation through faith in Christ.
Wednesday March 10
John 12:44 - 50; Psalm 36:9; Matthew 4:16; Luke 1:78 - 79; 2:32: John 1:4 - 5
In John 12:44 - 50, Jesus reveals truths about those who believe in Him, both directly and in contrast to those who reject Him. For those who believe in Jesus the way to a deeper life is through listening to His word, believing it as truth, and obeying it.
Think About It: What other things does Jesus say about those who believe in Him in John 12:44 - 50? How have I experienced these things in my life?
Prayer: Thank God for the light He has granted me in Jesus.
Thursday March 11
John 12:44 - 50; John 3:19; 8:12; Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 2:8 - 9
In 1 John 12:44 - 50 Jesus describes the predicament of the unbeliever. One very important aspect of that predicament is implied in verse 46. If the believer does not remain in darkness, then the unbeliever does remain in darkness. This also implies that we start out in the dark; our natural condition is to be lost the darkness.
Think About It: What other truths does Jesus reveal about the predicament and fate of the unbeliever in John 12:44 - 50?
Prayer: Thank God for calling me from the darkness into the light.
Friday March 12
John 12:45; 20:21; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:4 - 6
Jesus' ministry, as He describes it in John 12:44 - 50, indicates what our Christian life ought to be like. As those who looked at Jesus saw Him who sent Jesus, so those who look at us must see Jesus who sent us.
Think About It: Do people see Jesus when they look at my life? What are some things that can get in the way of other people seeing Jesus in me? What do I need to do about it?
Prayer: For a transparent life that others might see Jesus in me.
Saturday March 13
John 12:47; John 3:17; Ephesians 5:11 - 13; Matthew 7:1
The purpose of Jesus’ earthly ministry was not to judge the world, but to save the world. Likewise, the purpose of our service to God is not to judge the world, but to bring it the message of salvation.
Think About It: See John the Baptist’s accusation in Luke 3:7, and Paul’s description of unbelievers in Romans 1:18 - 32. How do these statements square with Jesus’ example of not being judgmental? Does "not judging" mean "not having a standard of right and wrong?" What response was John the Baptist’s and Paul’s statements designed to produce? Does my life reflect a holiness that causes conviction of sin in others?
Prayer: For courage to let my light shine into the darkness.
Sunday March 14
John 12:49 - 50; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Acts 3:12 - 13; 10:25 - 26
Jesus said only those things God the Father gave Him to say; likewise we must not speak of our own initiative; our own ideas and prejudices must be kept out of the Gospel. The purpose of proclamation is not get people to accept us, but rather to introduce them to Christ.
Think About It: What are some ways that the Gospel message gets contaminated with human ideas and prejudices? How can this contamination be avoided?
Prayer: For my witness to Christ to be pure and strong.