John 12:45-50
Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
This is Jesus’ final public ministry statement. It summarizes Jesus’ ministry and message.
- I’m God
- I’m the light of the world
- I came to save not to judge
- There is a judgment coming
- Everything I told you is the Word of God
What does it mean that Jesus is God? Read Isaiah chapter 6. Verse 13b is, “As a terebinth tree or as an oak, Whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump.” The holy seed is that seed promised in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” And the stump is the line of David. Revelation 22:16, ““I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” and Matthew 22:41-45, The son of David and Psalm 110:1.
Athanasius bishop of Alexandria, who was instrumental in crafting the Nicene Creed, wrote this simile to describe the work of Christ in the world.
And like as when a great king has entered into some large city and taken up his abode in one of the houses there, such city is at all events held worthy of high honour, nor does any enemy or bandit any longer descend upon it and subject it; but, on the contrary, it is thought entitled to all care, because of the king’s having taken up his residence in a single house there: so, too, has it been with the Monarch of all. 4. For now that He has come to our realm, and taken up his abode in one body among His peers, henceforth the whole conspiracy of the enemy against mankind is checked, and the corruption of death which before was prevailing against them is done away. For the race of men had gone to ruin, had not the Lord and Saviour of all, the Son of God, come among us to meet the end of death. – Athanasius (On the Incarnation of the Word)
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