If You Trust Me

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: John 12:44-50 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” (John 12:44-50 NLT)

There are two things that stand out to me here: 1) The reason Jesus can be trusted. 2) Judgment – The Day of Judgment. Here are my thoughts…

1) Trusting Jesus. Jesus said: (vs 44-45) If you trust me, you’re trusting God who sent me. When you see me, you’re seeing the one who sent me. (vs 49-50) I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father told me what to say and how to say it. I know his commands lead to eternal life, so I say whatever the Father (My Father, Our Father) tells me to say. Let me condense it just a little more. Jesus said, If you trust me, you’re trusting God. If you see me, you’re seeing God. If you hear me, you’re hearing God. If you want to know how God thinks, what God is like, what God cares about, look at and listen to Jesus. Paul says in (Colossians 1:15-23) that Jesus is the clearest look you’re going to get at God the Father.

2) Judgment. Jesus said: (vs 47-48) I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey. I’m here to save, not judge. But all will be judged by the truth I have spoken. Judgment is not arbitrary. Judgment is simply to put our lives up alongside the life that Jesus taught and the example he lived and let the chips fall where they may. We won’t need a lawyer and we won’t need to explain why we did or didn’t do anything. If you want to know Jesus’ Mission Statement, read Luke 4:18-19. If you want to know about Judgment Day, read Matthew 25:31-46.

What do you think? Just reply to this email and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.

Prayer:

Father, I purpose to trust Jesus and walk in the light. May my friends and I shine like beacons of the way of light and life. May we simply and faithfully hear and do! Amen.