Who Has Believed?

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. John 12:27

After 33 years of life as a human on the earth; after 3 years of public ministry among His people Israel, Jesus stated in verse 23 “the hour has come.” Now, having arrived at this appointed time, His humanity (soul) was troubled. He knew exactly what He would endure, physically, in the fulfillment of the Father’s plan to save the human race from our sins. As God, He couldn’t be injured, humiliated or killed. As true humanity, His body was mortal and His soul was troubled. What could He do? Beg to be spared this torment? This was the whole purpose in His becoming man. This was our Savior at the threshold of His human destiny, reminding Himself of His voluntary intervention on our behalf, as the only one qualified to redeem us from the slave market of sin. He was here because of this. He also knew that the death He would die would not be only physical. That was His greatest dread.

Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”  Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. John 12:28-30

Jesus knew the source of the voice like thunder. He knew it was not to get His attention, but the people’s. The Father was always with Him, always encouraging Him, always assuring Him of His mission to bring salvation to man. The Father is glorified in this demonstration of grace toward mankind. The Son was willing to be the means of this demonstration of the Father’s boundless love.

Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” John 12:31-34

“Lifted up!?” Whattaya mean, “lifted up?” They knew what He meant. It was the term generally used for crucifixion.  The reality was becoming clearer, but still, they couldn’t  comprehend  the death of God’s own Son. In their theology, the Messiah was their conquering  hero; sovereign and immortal. They only knew of the Second Advent Messiah. They were not prepared for a mortal who would die as they watched. As He tried to prepare them for it, He made it clear that it would mean the defeat of Satan (ruler of this world) and that all of humanity would benefit from it. Salvation would be available not just to Jews, but also Gentiles. The whole human race.

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12:35-35

Repeating a statement from John 7:33, Jesus told them they should pay close attention to His words and actions, for His time among them was limited. Listen carefully. Think about what He said. Remember what you have seen Him do. Discern the truth you are being given. This is your opportunity to believe in the One Who is your only hope of eternal life. If you don’t believe Him, you will not know whom to believe. You will continue to wander in darkness.

When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.  Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes,
 and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Isaiah 53:1, 6:10

Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:36-43

Most of the people were skeptical, even having seen and heard the Lord’s powerful works and words. By this time, even some Pharisees believed He was Who He claimed to be, but dared not openly admit it, because they would lose position in the synagogue. Some things never change. Political power is difficult to relinquish, especially when the alternative means persecution.

And Jesus cried out and said, “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 into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. John 12:44-47

If one perceives the Son, one also perceives the Father. The Son is the representative of the Father. Belief in the Son equates to belief in the Father. There is no relationship with the Father if one denies the Son. The Son brought truth into the world from the Father, to enlighten mankind, who were wandering in darkness. The world was already under judgment. The Son came in His first advent to save the condemned world.

The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life.” John 12:48-50

He has spoken. The word He has spoken is the gospel message and it will stand as judgment against those who reject Him. That word came directly from the Father. John 12:50…..

“What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

There are those who say they believe in God, but can’t accept that Jesus is His Son and the only Savior.

There are those who say they “believe in,” “love,” and/or “follow” Jesus, but can’t accept the God of the Old Testament.  Both statements are lies. Jesus covered this quite thoroughly in His public statements about Himself and His Father. Especially in John 10:30….

“I and the Father are one.”