The Gospel of John: John 12.37-50

Read and meditate on John 12.49, 50.
Jesus punctuates His claims by insisting He is not speaking on His own authority. He wasn’t making this up. God had sent Him to the world, and Jesus spoke as the Father directed Him, so that eternal life could come to the world.

                                     ⁴⁹“On My own authority
I have not spoken; but the Father, He
Who sent Me, gave me a command, what I
should speak. ⁵⁰And I know this command is life
eternal. Therefore, everything I speak
is only what the Father says to speak.”

- John 12.49, 50

Reflect
1.  John has used verses 44-50 to sum-up nearly a week’s worth of teaching. How would you summarize in one sentence what Jesus claimed here? Why is it important that we do this? How might you use this one sentence this week? Complete this prayer: Lord, You are the God of light and life, and you call us to receive Your words, trust in You, and…

2.  Jesus understood the growing resentment and hostility of the religious leaders. He represented a direct challenge to their authority, and they did not intend to allow Him to continue. Do you think Jesus’ disclaimer in verse 49 would have mollified or further irritated His enemies? Why? Sometimes, Lord, we just can’t placate people where You’re concerned. Nevertheless…

3.  Jesus indicated that the Good News He proclaimed is a command. Paul said the same thing in Acts 17.30, 31. Does it make a difference in how we present it, whether the Gospel is an offer or a command? Do commands have consequences? Explain. Thank You, Lord, that You enabled me to obey the command of the Gospel. Help me today to obey…

4.  Jesus said that the command God had given Him was “everlasting life.” How would you explain that concept to an unbelieving friend? Should Christians, who already have everlasting life, seek to increase in everlasting life? Are we commanded to do so (cf. Phil. 2.12; 2 Pet. 3.18)? Explain. Lord, I know there is more of eternal life for me to realize each day, so…

5.  From time to time you may hear someone wondering aloud about “God’s will for my life.” According to Jesus, what is God’s will for humankind? For you? How much of your life does this entail? Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“What he intends then by the words is this: It is not possible that he [the Father] should speak one set of words and I should utter another. ‘And I know that his commandment is life everlasting.’ He said this to those who called him a deceiver and who asserted that he had come to do harm. However, when he says ‘I judge not,’ he shows that he is not the cause of their destruction. By this he all but plainly testifies (when he is about to remove himself from them and leave) that ‘I converse with you, speaking nothing on my own but everything as from the Father.’” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

The Gospel is powerful to save or to condemn, because it comes via our Lord Jesus Christ, with the authority of God the Father. The Gospel is a command, which to obey is life, and to reject is to condemn oneself to eternal darkness. How can you declare this Gospel, and yet make sure you are doing so in love (Eph. 4.15)?

Closing Prayer
O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Let them be confounded and consumed
Who are adversaries of my life;
Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor
Who seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

Psalm 71.12-17

Psalm 71.12-18, 3 (Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)
O God be not too far from me; me ever-present Helper be!
Consume and shame my enemies; let them reproached and humbled be.
    A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

But as for me my voice I raise to sing in hope and constant praise!
With saving grace my voice will swell Your never-ending grace to tell.
    A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

O Lord, I praise Your righteousness, Who me from youth have taught and blessed.
Forsake me not when I am old, ‘til I Your mercies all have told!
    A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

T. M. Moore

We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Men, God is calling you to pray. Watch this brief video, then seek the Lord about joining our Men at Prayer movement.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.