The Christ and the Crisis

Four part series in John Chapter 12, Showing how He relates to four different groups of people; the fourth:

“Just Jews”John 12:37-

50

The Crisis…•John 12 records the second major crisis in Jesus’ ministry, as perceived by the disciples•The first when multitudes left Him, (John 6:66)•This last group is the unbelieving Jews•He uses “believe” 8 times in this section•John 12:37-38, 39, 40-41– quoting Isaiah he writes they would not, could not, then should not believe•Despite all the evidence, the Nation didn’t believe…

“37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL

THEM.” 41 These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. 42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees the

One who sent Me. 46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on My own

initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

John 12:37-50, NASB

I. Though they heard, no belief...•When one resists the “Light” a change begins within•God allows a “judicial blindness” to envelope those who do not take the truth seriously•We see this over and over again in Scripture•This same quote about refusing to believe, Matthew 13:14-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; Romans 11:8

Dangerous to ignore God’s truth…•To treat God’s truth lightly is a dangerous thing.•Someone could well miss the opportunity to be saved!•Jesus just referred to Isaiah 55:6

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near”

Isaiah 55:6, KJV

Dangerous to ignore God’s truth…•To treat God’s truth lightly is a dangerous thing.•Someone could well miss the opportunity to be saved!•Jesus just referred to Isaiah 55:6•What did you notice?•There is a recurring theme throughout Scripture that indicates the temporary nature of God’s call to the individual lost man

Remember this painting?•It is used completely out of context, but the idea is correct•He will not call forever•Think of it like the old days of land lines, letting it ring…•Jesus will eventually give up•Don’t however confuse this with 1 Corinthians 7:14

“12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.” 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 NASB

II. There were those who hid belief…•Remember Nicodemus and Joseph of Aramathea?•They were of this group at first•Eventually, they openly con- fessed Jesus as Lord, Jn 19:38•Early church had many priests and Pharisees as members, Acts 6:7, but they struggled

II. There were those who hid belief…•Struggles between God’s Glory and man’s praise, Jn 12:25-26•Remember how costly it was to become excommunicated•“Secret Believers” wanted the best of both worlds•John 5:44

“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?”

John 5:44, NASB

III. The last word emphasizing Faith…•Vv 44-50 are his last words to the people before He “hid Himself” from them•Several of the basic themes of John’s Gospel are repeated here:•God Sent the Son•Seeing the Son is Seeing God• Jesus is the Light of the world•His words are God’s words•Faith in Him brings Salvation, Rejection= Judgment

IV. “Judge” is repeated 4 times…•In the closing words of this last message•He didn’t come to judge, but to save•But if the Sinner won’t trust the Savior, the Savior must become the judge•Imagine being judged by the very words you heard and ignored! (v 48)•We actually pass judgment on ourselves!•Take Away…

What “Jesus” you’ve seen in 12 chapters…•His life•His ministry•His miracles•His message•You’ve considered the evidence•Have you been convicted that He is the Son of God, the Savior of the world?•Trusted Him and received eternal life?

“ While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”

John 12:36, NASB

What was the Take-Away?

The opportunity is fleeting……