John 12:47–50

And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”

This passage adds two interesting details about the incarnation mission. First, I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

Note what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t say that the world won’t be judged, nor that He won’t do the judging. He just says that’s not why He came.

Then He says, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” This feels like the judgment will be a natural process, instead of a hearing before a judge.

This is yet another thing beyond our comprehension. However, some popular Christian literature describes our end in terms of natural processes—such as how walking away from God leads to ending up separated from God.

In The Great Divorce, CS Lewis depicts a wonderous bus ride from Hell to Heaven. Amazingly, most of the passengers choose not to stay. They get back on the bus for the return trip. Lewis does a brilliant job of depicting the thought processes that lead to that seemingly impossible choice.

Second, Jesus expands on His condescension when He was incarnated. He gave up authority. He was just doing, and speaking, as the Father’s instructed Him.

But in a fascinating twist, He will get authority back while still incarnate.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” — Matthew 28:18

Don’t miss all the implications of Matthew 28:18. We tend to think in positive terms—we’re connected to the ultimate source of power and authority.

But if it has been given to Jesus, how much is left over for us?

That’s right, none. We have no authority. Don’t think of this just in terms of the power of prayer; consider our powerlessness. This extends beyond just our ability to do things. We lack the ability to know what to do. We have no power and no clue.

Pray without ceasing, — 1 Thessalonians 5:17

These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

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The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.