Summary of Jesus’ Teaching

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 judge; 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.” (John 12:44-50, NRSV)

Jesus came as light in the world to show us the love of God. Jesus doesn’t come to judge us but to show us the love God has for us, and so that the world might be saved.

So walk in the light and do not stay in the darkness, for He has come so that we might see love and share it with the world!

The Unbelief of the People

While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.” Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God. (John 12:36-43, NRSV)

What do we do because we are afraid of what will happen if we do what we know we should do?

It says at the end of this reading that many, even those in authority, believed in Him, but because of what would happen to them if they said it, they didn’t…

They were afraid they would be shunned so they didn’t say anything.

What are we afraid to say because we think we know how people will react, or what will happen to us?

What do we fear that keeps us from truly experiencing the life Jesus has for us?

Jesus and Pilate

Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit. (John 18:28-40, NRSV)

There is a custom to release a prisoner at the Passover… I have heard that this custom is only talked about here in John. That doesn’t mean it isn’t the case, but there is no other history behind this or recording of this custom anywhere else.

Also, did you notice that when the officials brought Jesus to Pilate they would not go in because they did not want to defile themselves and not be able to eat the Passover? This is the day before the Passover, and Jesus is being set up to be the sacrificial Lamb.

Even the Jewish High Council plays into handing Him over when they call for Barabbas to be released.

Who would you ask Pilate to release?

Jesus Speaks about His Death

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. (John 12:27-35, NRSV)

Jesus told the people that the Son of Man would be lifted up from the earth to indicate the kind of death He would die. It also goes along with Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness so all who gaze on the serpent would live. As we gaze upon Jesus high and lifted up on the cross, we see the love that God has for us and our darkness goes away. We see the light and continue for all eternity in that light.

But sometimes our darkness seems to be deeper than that and we can not find our way out even with Jesus. Well, Jesus is with us in our darkness and will never leave us. He will light our way even when our darkness is too much for us to see His light. His light is still shining and He will always lead us on.

So know what His death and rising has done for you and know that His light is always shining in your life, even when you can’t see it.

Some Greeks Wish to see Jesus

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. (John 12:20-26, NRSV)

Is it really any wonder the disciples didn’t get Jesus?

Some Greeks come and ask to see Him and Philip went to Jesus and told Him and He starts talking about the Son of Man being glorified and a seed dying and producing much fruit. Uhm Jesus what does all of that have to do with these people who want to see you, what should I tell them?

This is truly where faith comes in. We must believe and follow even without understanding and that is hard but so worth the effort and the ride will be one that is not ever forgotten!