João 12
F.B. Meyer · Citado em PreceptAustin
João 12
Meyer - Jesus said, Let her alone. The lovers of Jesus are often misunderstood. Those who judge only by a utilitarian standard refuse to acknowledge the worth of their deeds. You might as well despise the electric light because it makes no register on a gas-meter. But when the voices of criticism and jealousy are highest, Jesus steps in and casts the shield of his love around the trembling, disconcerted soul, saying, Let him alone. So He speaks still:— To Satan. — The adversary stands near to resist and tempt. As Judas criticised Mary, so the Evil One seems at times to pour a perpetual stream of chilling criticism on all we say and do; or he meets us at every turn with some evil suggestion. But Jesus is on the watch, and He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear; but when heart and flesh fail, He will step in and say, Let him (or her) alone. To sorrow. — We must pass through the fire, and be subjected to the lapidary’s wheel; we must drink of His cup, and be baptized with His baptism; we must bear our cross after Him. But He is always on the alert. And whenever the feeble flesh is at an end of its power of endurance, He will step in and say, Let be — it is enough. To human unkindness. — Some of us are called to suffer most from our fellows; our foes belong to our own household; our brother Cain hates us. It is hard to bear. To have one’s motives misunderstood and maligned; to lose one’s good name; to be an outcast — all this is hard. But God has planted a hedge about us, and none may pass through it, except He permit. Even Satan recognizes this, as we learn from the Book of Job. It's Beautiful! Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me." — Mark 14:6 Today's Scripture: Mark 14:3-9 After being away on business, Terry wanted to pick up some small gifts for his children. The clerk at the airport gift shop recommended a number of costly items. “I don’t have that much money with me,” he said. “I need something less expensive.” The clerk tried to make him feel that he was being cheap. But Terry knew his children would be happy with whatever he gave them, because it came from a heart of love. And he was right—they loved the gifts he bought. During Jesus’ last visit to the town of Bethany, Mary wanted to show her love for Him (Mark 14:3-9). So she brought “an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard” and anointed Him (v.3). The disciples asked angrily, “Why this waste?” (Matthew 26:8). Jesus told them to stop troubling her, for “she has done a good work for Me” (Mark 14:6). Another translation reads, “She has done a beautiful thing to Me.” Jesus delighted in her gift, for it came from a heart of love. Even anointing Him for burial was beautiful! With thankful hearts give praise to Jesus For His blessings without end; Let's give to Him our full devotion— He's our Savior and our Friend. —D. De Haan A healthy heart beats with love for Jesus. And as Mary walked away from the cross, The same scent probably still lingered in the now-limp hair She used to dry her Savior’s feet A reminder of the love that spilled From His broken alabaster body. So pure. So lovely. So truly extravagant. It was a vase He never regretted breaking. Nor did she. -Ken Gire, Jr. John 12:8 "For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me." KJV John 12:8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. BGT John 12:8 τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε. NET John 12:8 For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me!" CSB John 12:8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me." ESV John 12:8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." NIV John 12:8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." NLT John 12:8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." NRS John 12:8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." NJB John 12:8 You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.' NAB John 12:8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." YLT John 12:8 for the poor ye have always with yourselves, and me ye have not always.' MIT John 12:8 You always have the poor among yourselves, but you will not always have me around." GWN John 12:8 You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me with you." the poor: De 15:11 Mt 26:11 Mk 14:7 but: Jn 12:35 8:21 13:33 16:5-7 Song 5:6 Ac 1:9-11 John 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 26:11-13+ “For you always have the poor (ptochos) with you; but you do not always have Me. 12“For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13 “Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.” Alexander
João 12
Meyer - Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone. (r.v.) The East came to the cradle; the West to the Cross. Sunrise becomes the Orient; sunset the Occident wave. These were not Hellenist Jews, but pure-blooded Greeks, whose life and philosophy were in the present, in as much joy as nature, art, and amusement could yield. It was startling to be met with the grave announcement of death. But how wise to send them to read that earliest divine book of Nature. Hear the parable of the corn of wheat. Its loneliness. — Before sowing, it is by itself alone. It lies on the barn floor, beside myriads more, but there is no vital contact between it and them. They are just so many isolated units: as foreign to each other as the stars, between which millions of dividing miles intervene. So if you save your life, nursing it in selfishness, dreading and avoiding all that savors of self-denial and self-giving, you will be utterly and drearily lonely. The falling into the ground to die. — If we compare ourselves to a corn of wheat, we may say that the seed-germ cannot bury itself; but it can choose burial. It can be willing to be cast forth. It is not a pleasant experience for the little seed. As soon as it finds itself entombed, it is seized upon by chemical agents, which pierce and tear its delicate waterproof sheath, and eat their way to its vitals. Death is no child’s-play. The fruit-bearing. — Presently the rootlet shoots downward, the tiny frond upward, and, almost without knowing it, the stalk begins to blossom and bear fruit, which, with every sowing, reduplicates itself. Such may your life become, if you will let God have his way. Via Crucis, via lucis: the way of the cross is the way of light. Chris Tiegreen - Productive Seeds “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24 IN WORD To the eyes of casual onlookers who do not hold kingdom values, the gospel is a waste. They see the life of Jesus as tragically “cut short.” Just think of what He could have done had He lived longer! They believe the talents of many young people have been squandered on “religious service” rather than impressive secular-minded careers. Just think of the achievements that could have bettered mankind if they had focused on something “practical”! The fruit of the kingdom is hardly visible to those outside of it. David Brainerd, an early missionary to the Indians of the American Northeast, lived among them in a forest while his health deteriorated. He died at twenty-nine, having seen only a handful of converts. But his diary prompted William Carey, Henry Martyn, and scores of others to go to mission fields. William Borden graduated from Yale before going to Egypt as a twenty-five-year-old missionary. He died of cerebral meningitis within weeks. But thousands have been moved to action by the testimony of his eternal values. And, of course, Jesus spent only three precious years in public ministry before the appointed time of His sacrifice at the hands of a vision-impaired world. But His eternal kingdom is growing mightily. IN DEED We serve in a kingdom of wheat kernels, mustard seeds, and hidden pearls—small things with huge impact. The world cannot see their value. In our more discouraging moments, neither can we. But history encourages us; the legacies of “wasted” lives have influenced the world in more dramatic ways than any of mankind’s impressive achievements. Do not be discouraged if your faithful service to God has imperceptible results. They are imperceptible only to the naked eye. They are highly valued in the eternal kingdom, where those who give away their lives find them again. (See The One Year At His Feet Devotional) Stephen Olford - The Service of Fruitfulness “… if it dies, it produces much grain” (12:24). Our Lord Jesus used this illustration with great care, and the more you study and analyze it, the more you see the wonder of it. “The fecundity of plants or their capacity for producing seeds,” says a writer, “is remarkable. The common cereals often yield fruit sixty to a hundredfold. One castor oil plant will produce 1,500; one sunflower 4,000; and one thistle 24,000 seeds in a single season. A well-known botanist counted 2,000 grains in a single plant of maize which sprang from one seed; and 32,000 seeds in a single poppy plant. Pliny tells us that a Roman governor in Africa sent to the Emperor Augustus a single plant of corn with 340 stems, bearing 340 ears; that is to say at least 60,000 grains of corn had been produced from a single seed. In eight years as much corn might spring from one seed as would supply all mankind with bread for a year-and-a-half. How this illustrates our text— “… if it dies, it produces much grain” (12:24). “By this My Father is glorified,” said the Lord Jesus, “that you bear much fruit …” (John 15:8). Is your life one of productiveness and fruitfulness? What are you leaving in the wake of your life? One day when you stand before the judgment seat of Christ, will you be able to say “… Here am I and the children whom God has given me” (Heb. 2:13)? D L Moody - You can never cultivate self into anything but self. Jesus died alone: but three thousand at Pentecost were the harvest of His death. H Smith - This is the manner of God’s proceedings,—to send good after evil, as He made light after darkness; to turn justice into mercy, as He turned water into wine. For as the beasts must be killed before they could be sacrificed, so men must be killed before they can be sacrificed; that is, the knife of correction must prune and dress them, and lop off their rotten twigs, before they can bring forth fruit. These are the cords which bind the ram unto the altar, lest, when he is brought thither, he should run from thence again; this is the chariot which carrieth our thoughts to heaven, as it did Nebuchadnezzar’s; this is the hammer which squareth the rough stones till they be plain and smooth, and fit for the temple. James Smith - FRUITFULNESS - BIBLE “EXCEPTS.” No. 9. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24). All nature each Autumn sounds a loud Amen to the declaration of the sweet singer of Israel—“Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness.” The fields, orchards, and gardens are laden with fruit. The Lord’s crown of goodness then lies gloriously heavy on the brow of nature. The fruit, and much fruit, gladden both the heart of God and man. But in the rejoicing of the “harvest home” let us not forget the important “except” of fruitfulness. One of the most familiar facts in nature is that, in plants and seeds, life comes by death. The principal event which renders the seed corn valuable to man is its death. There could not possibly have been fields laden with golden grain had there not previously taken place in secret a great surrender, and a dying to self. This is a great principal in the moral as well as in the natural realm. “And there were certain Greeks among them.” I wonder if they had been amongst those who had welcomed Jesus as King of Jerusalem? If so, they were not satisfied by admiring the Lord Jesus, but longed to come into a more personal knowledge of Him. Would that all the Lord’s admirers would do likewise! There are so many who imagine that the good opinions they entertain of the King of Glory will prove a sufficient passport to eternal bliss. What a vain hope is this! No, No, nothing can take the place of personal faith and vital contact with the Lord Himself. Let all mere admirers pray, “We would see Jesus.” Why these Greeks should seek Philip’s mediation we know not. We do notice that Philip’s name is more purely Greek than any of the other disciples. Does not this indicate that probably he had Greek relatives and connections? “Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.” How blessed it is when Christian brethren unite in bringing others to the Lord Jesus. Undoubtedly the Lord had Himself in mind when He gave expression to this great fact of nature. Their request was as a narrow window through which Jesus’ yearning spirit saw a great expanse, nothing less than the coming to Him of myriads of Gentiles, the “much” fruit of which He speaks. But before that could take place death on the Cross must be His. There are several words in this verse pregnant with meaning. “It abideth alone.” Here we have one reason why the Lord came down to be a man and die—He could not bear to be alone in the glory, alone with the Father and the holy angels. Without the sons of men, He felt He would be alone. And He desired us to share His glory. Oh, verily this is the language of love! “Except a corn of wheat fall.” Ah, that is a familiar word, is it not? Man has fallen, and to lift him up the Corn of Wheat, the Lord Himself, must fall, die and fall into the ground. “And die.” Man died at Eden. The Son of Man must die to give man life. Here is the great fundamental principle of the Gospel. Christ’s death was and is the source of spiritual life of the world. He fell to the ground in His incarnation, and seemed buried alive in the world, so much was His glory veiled. He died; this immortal Seed submitted to the laws of mortality. And He lay in the grave like the seed under the clods. But He arose; and from His Cross and Passion sprang up a mighty harvest of benefit to mankind. The first fruits were seen at His resurrection. “Christ died alone; He arose again with many,” so wrote the venerable Bede. But there is an important lesson here for all who have received life through that atoning death. What was true in respect to the Saviour is equally true respecting His own dear children. If we are to be fruitful in life and service we, too, must die to self as well as to sin. One has very forcibly pointed out that the key to the application of the words of the Saviour is the Greek present. “For five centuries the Greeks had marched at the head of humanity. The whole world gathered round the torch of Greek genius. Yet they failed to regenerate society. Why? Their master words were self-culture and self-enjoyment. This was, according to the Greeks, the chief good of human life, the supreme aim. The gods of Olympus were represented as beings who lived only to enjoy themselves. When they came to earth they came only for the sake of pleasant adventure, or selfish amusement, caring nothing for the sorrows and sins of humanity. And the character of the gods was reflected in the worshippers. But Christ calls upon them to substitute self-oblation for self-culture, self-sacrifice, for self-gratification. In other words, He asks them to reverse the whole bent of their thought and conduct.” How startled they must have been when they heard this great principle enunciated. They were well aware of its force in nature, but they never dreamt it ought to be applied to their own lives. We now know differently. But do we act up to our knowledge? Remember, if we live for self we live in vain. Streams in the Desert - John 12:24 - GO to the old burying ground of Northampton, Mass., and look upon the early grave of David Brainerd, beside that of the fair Jerusha Edwards, whom he loved but did not live to wed. What hopes, what expectations for Christ’s cause went down to the grave with the wasted form of that young missionary of whose work nothing now remained but the dear memory, and a few score of swarthy Indian converts! But that majestic old Puritan saint, Jonathan Edwards, who had hoped to call him his son, gathered up the memorials of his life in a little book, and the little book took wings and flew beyond the sea, and alighted on the table of a Cambridge student, Henry Martyn. Poor Martyn! Why should he throw himself away, with all his scholarship, his genius, his opportunities! What had he accomplished when he turned homeward from “India’s coral strand,” broken in health, and dragged himself northward as far as that dreary khan at Tocat by the Black Sea, where he crouched under the piled-up saddles, to cool his burning fever against the earth, and there died alone? To what purpose was this waste? Out of that early grave of Brainerd, and the lonely grave of Martyn far away by the splashing of the Euxine Sea, has sprung the noble army of modern missionaries.—Leonard Woolsey Bacon. “Is there some desert, or some boundless sea, Where Thou, great God of angels, wilt send me? Some oak for me to rend, Some sod for me to break, Some handful of Thy corn to take And scatter far afield, Till it in turn shall yield Its hundredfold Of grains of gold To feed the happy children of my God? “Show me the desert, Father, or the sea; Is it Thine enterprise? Great God, send me! And though this body lies where ocean rolls, Father, count me among all faithful souls.” Broken Things in the Bible - Five broken things in the Bible and the results achieved by them: (ED: I HAVE PLACED THIS ILLUSTRATION HERE BECAUSE THE AUTHOR LEFT ONE "BROKEN" THING OUT! THE BODY OF CHRIST BROKEN FOR YOU AND FOR ME! HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU JESUS. AMEN). 1) Broken pitchers (Judges 7:18, 19) and the light shone out 2) A Broken Box (Mark 14:3) and the ointment was poured out 3) Broken Bread (Matt 14:10) and the hungry were fed 4) A Broken Body (1Cor 11:24) and the world was saved 5) A Broken will (Ps 51:17) and a life of fulfillment in Christ Source unknown I have been reflecting on the inestimable value of "broken things." Broken pitchers gave ample light for victory (Judges 7:19-21); broken bread was more than enough for all the hungry (Matthew 14:19-21); broken box gave fragrance to all the world (Mark 14:3, 9); and broken body is salvation to all who believe and' receive the Savior (Isaiah 53:56, 12; 1 Corinthians 11:24). And what cannot the Broken One do with our broken plans, projects, and hearts? V. RAYMOND EDMAN DEATH AND THE “LAW OF INCREASE” Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. JOHN 12:24 Take one barren field, bury a handful of seed, add a little water and the care of the farmer, and what do you have? At first, you still have only a barren field. But after a few months, the field will produce an abundant harvest. In John 12 we read how Jesus used the simple illustration of a dying seed to explain to his followers the reason behind his death. And A. B. Bruce provides this timely explanation of the “law of increase”—a law that Jesus’ death portrays. WALK WITH A. B. BRUCE “Jesus’ purpose is to make it clear to his disciples that death and increase may go together. “Such is true in the case of grain; and the law of increase is equally true in his own case. “He might have explained it this way: ‘A grain of wheat, by dying, becomes fruitful; so I must die in order to become, on a large scale, an object of faith and source of life.’ “ ‘During my lifetime I have had little visible success. Few have believed, many have disbelieved; and they are about to crown their unbelief by putting me to death.’ “ ‘But my death, far from being—as they fancy—my defeat and destruction, will be but the beginning of my glorification.’ “ WALK CLOSER TO GOD The good news of the gospel began with the bad news of a tragic, unjust execution. It began with death. A grain of wheat—dead and buried, lifeless, fruitless … or so it would seem. But three days later, all that changed. From death sprang eternal life. The seemingly fruitless became the firstfruits of a mighty harvest that is still bearing fruit today. Thank God right now for the harvest the death of his Son has accomplished in your life. (SEE NIV-Once a Day Walk with Jesus) The Joy Of Spring Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. —John 12:24 Today's Scripture: John 12:20-36 During Passover week, Jerusalem was swarming with visitors, including some Greeks who asked Philip if they could see Jesus. In response, Jesus simply said, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified” (Jn. 12:23). Then, contrary to what His listeners may have anticipated, Jesus compared His life to a seed, which must die in order to live and bear fruit. As believers in Christ, we shrink from the thought of dying to self. Yet in nature we easily accept that a seed must pass through death to produce new life in the spring season. We know that seeds germinate under the ground’s surface, though we don’t see it happening. Years ago my daughter was given a seed-planting kit. The soil in the kit was transparent jelly, which allowed us to observe the buried seed. Many days later we rejoiced as we witnessed the first sign of life emerge from that seed and eventually rise to full bloom. Oh, may the life of the Savior flow through us, Bearing rich fruit by His Spirit within; And may each longing for selfish enjoyment Be overcome lest it lead us to sin. —DJD Fruitfulness for Christ begins when we die to self. Nuts In The Attic Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. —John 12:24 Today's Scripture: John 12:20-33 A Christian who was born and raised in a log house visited his boyhood home after being away for 35 years. As he walked up to the now-deserted cabin, he remembered that as a youngster he had planted some walnuts along a stream that ran through the farm. When he went down to the creek, he discovered a beautiful row of stately walnut trees. Then he recalled that he had also hidden some nuts in the attic. He was curious to see what had happened to them, so he climbed into the dark attic and poked around in a corner until he found them. What a difference! Those he had stored were nothing but dry and dust-covered nuts, while the ones he had planted had become flourishing green trees! Immediately the words of Jesus came to his mind with new meaning: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (Jn. 12:24). Until a seed is planted It cannot multiply; And we won't see the Spirit's fruit Until to self we die. —Bosch We die if we live for self; we live if we die to self. The Law Of The Cross Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. —John 12:24 Today's Scripture: John 12:20-26 The couplet “If the laws of the kingdom you faithfully keep, health, riches, and honor you surely will reap” sums up what many today are teaching. But it’s not true! Multitudes of faithful believers are sick or poor or persecuted. Yet they gratefully worship the Lord, serve Him the best they can, and remain joyful. They can do this because they believe the law of the cross—that by dying to self we produce a spiritual harvest that will last forever. I read about a man who runs an after-school program for inner-city children. He recruits people to teach sewing, remedial reading, and other helpful skills. He also conducts an all-day school for 6 weeks in the summer, and holds a Sunday service in a church building that he cleans by himself. Hundreds benefit from his work, but an average of only eight people show up for church! He continues, however, because he is motivated by his love for God and the law of the cross, which says that if you die to self and serve others, you will reap fruit for eternity. Grains of wheat produce a harvest When they're planted in the soil; Once we die to self, we'll harvest Fruit eternal from our toil. —Sper A buried seed bears fruit; a selfless life reaps an eternal harvest. John 12:25 "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. BGT John 12:25 ὁ φιλῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἀπολλύει αὐτήν, καὶ ὁ μισῶν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον φυλάξει αὐτήν. KJV John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. NET John 12:25 The one who loves his life destroys it, and the one who hates his life in this world guards it for eternal life. CSB John 12:25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ESV John 12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. NIV John 12:25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. NLT John 12:25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. NRS John 12:25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. NJB John 12:25 Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. NAB John 12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. YLT John 12:25 he who is loving his life shall lose it, and he who is hating his life in this world -- to life age-during shall keep it; MIT John 12:25 "The one who loves his life is ruining it, and the one who disregards his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. loves: Mt 10:39 16:25 19:29 Mk 8:35 Lu 9:23-24 17:33 Ac 20:24 21:13 Heb 11:35 Rev 12:11 hates: Ge 29:30-33 Ec 2:17 Lu 14:26 John 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Mark 8:34-37+ And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? “For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Luke 9:23-25+ And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. 25“For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? Luke 14:25-27+ Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. 27 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to hate our father and mother (Luke 14:26)? | GotQuestions.org) Luke 17:33+ “Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Matthew 10:39+ “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:24-26+ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? THE PARADOX OF LIFE OUT OF DEATH He who loves (phileo - present tense - continually love) his life (psuche) loses (apollumi - is ruined) it - This is Jesus' call to radical discipleship (is there any other type?) Jesus' giving His life for the lives of others is the pattern for His disciples (then and now). In short the way to lose your life is to love it! This person puts love of the world over love of God (cf 1Jn 2:15). Life (psuche) is not only physical life but speaks of one's entire being, one's "self." Loves (phileo) is in the present tense describing a man's lifestyle, his continual unwavering practice of loving this temporal, passing life, vainly striving after the wind (Eccl 1:14). Love of self is at the heart of all sin. This person is like the man who thinks he is well and does not need a doctor. He thinks his life is the sum and substance of human existence and when he dies he will be shocked to find out it was only the prelude and preparation for an eternal existence away from His God and Creator . This reality will be realized too late, so that his one chance for eternal life has been lost forever. In thinking that he has won in this life, he forfeits the life to come. Self love will lead to self loss, loss of all that is of true worth in God's eyes. Self love leads to an eternal ruin (the idea inherent in apollumi) and a life which is no longer usable for its intended purpose, to glorify and honor its Creator! J C
João 12
Meyer - OBEDIENCE "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness."-- Jn 12:46. (cp Ps 119:130, Jn 1:9, 1:4, 3:19, 20, 21, 8:12, 9:5, 2Ti1:10 Isa 9:2, Mal 4:2) THE LIGHT of Christ is always distinguishable because it means the deepest impression of what is right, the clearest conviction of the will of God. Everywhere men are asking how they may come to know Christ, and there is but one answer: believe that He loves you, that He died on the Cross to save you, that He is prompting you by His Spirit to follow every perception and longing for a better and holier life. How different is this teaching from that of the world around! There we are bidden to know before we dare entrust our lives to any leader, whatever be his fair speeches and promises; but Christ bids us obey the first glimmer of light breaking on us, and He undertakes that if we do, we shall not walk in darkness. Disobedience, like scales, veils Christ from us; whilst obedience leads us into His very presence (cp Jn 7:17, 1Sa 15:22, 23). The judgment always becomes just, and the vision clear, when we deny ourselves (Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23 adds "daily"!) to follow whatsoever things are lovely, true, pure, just, and of good report (Php 4:8-note). It may be that as you read these lines there is some duty you shirk, some cross you refuse to lift, some act from which you flinch. Though you may not have directly associated it with Christ, yet you cannot doubt that it is His will for you, and that in the doing He will be pleased (2Co 5:9). It is useless to try to know Him until that nearest act of obedience is wrought. Men can never know what the mighty forces of Nature will do for them until they set themselves to obey, in the minutest detail, its laws. And it is so in relation to Christ and the laws of the spiritual realm. That was a true word which the mother of our Lord spoke to the servants at Cana, when she said: "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it!'" (Jn 2:5) She had probably learnt that lesson in those long, quiet, blessed years at Nazareth. She knew that there was no such way of understanding Him, as by rendering Him literal obedience, and she passed on the results of her experience to us all. "Walk while ye have the light," (Jn 12:35) so you will know the Light, and become light in the Lord. (Eph 5:8+) PRAYER My son, forsake thyself, and thou shalt find Me Lord, how often shall I resign myself, and wherein shall I forsake myself? Always, yea, every hour, as well in small things as in great. AMEN. James Smith - THE HOPE OF THE WORLD JOHN 12:46, 47 1. The Condition of the World. “In darkness.” 2. The Character of Christ. “A Light.” 3. The Sphere of His Shining. “In the world.” 4. The Purpose of His Coming. “To save the world.” 5. The Condition of Salvation. “Believeth on Me.” QUESTION - Has anyone ever seen God? ANSWER - “No one has ever seen God” (John 1:18a). This statement refers to the spiritual nature of God. God is spirit (John 4:24a), and so we are naturally limited in perceiving Him. Physical eyes cannot behold spiritual beings. The Lord Jesus Christ is a unique case: “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man” (John 3:13). Since He is both the Son of Man and the Son of God, Jesus knows both the earthly and heavenly realms. He descended from heaven, where “he was with God in the beginning” (John 1:2). Jesus has seen God; in fact, Jesus is the embodiment of all God is: “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known” (John 1:18; cf. Colossians 2:9). Because of our physical, moral, and spiritual limitations, God the Father sent His one-and-only Son into the world. Through Jesus Christ, we know God and are redeemed from our sin. If we want to see God, we must look to Jesus. Those who beheld Jesus as He walked this earth were, in a sense, seeing God—not God as a spirit but God clothed in humanity (John 14:9). When Moses talked with God at the burning bush, “Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God” (Exodus 3:6). Later, God tells Moses, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). In other words, truly seeing God as He is, in the fullness of His glory, is more than any mortal can tolerate (cf. Isaiah 6:5). Moses was allowed a glimpse of God’s glory, but, for his own protection, most of God’s glory was kept hidden from him (Exodus 33:21–23). What, then, should we do with other passages that describe various people “seeing” God? For example, in Exodus 33, the same chapter in which Moses cannot see God, Moses speaks to God “face to face” (verse 11). In this instance, we must understand the phrase face to face as a figure of speech indicating Moses and God were in close communion. They were speaking to each other as if they were two human beings holding a conversation. There are other times when people seem to have seen God: • In Genesis 32:22–32, Jacob wrestles with someone who is later revealed to be God. When the incident was over and Jacob felt the full import of what had just happened, he was overawed: “So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared’” (verse 30). However, Jacob did not see God in all His glory, and he did not see God in spirit form. On a purely physical level, Jacob wrestled a theophany, a manifestation of God in human form. • In Judges 13:1–23, Samson’s parents have an interaction with the angel of the Lord. They don’t realize they are speaking to the angel of the Lord until the angel performs a sign and ascends to heaven before their eyes. At that point, Samson’s father is terrified: “‘We are doomed to die!’ he said to his wife. ‘We have seen God!’” (verse 22). But, as in Jacob’s case, they had only seen God appearing as an angel. This is another example of a theophany (or Christophany). • In Isaiah 6:1–13, Isaiah has a vision of “the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne” (verse 1). There are seraphim present, and even they cover their faces in God’s presence (verse 2). Isaiah’s immediate reaction is fear due to his sin: “Woe to me!” he cries. “I am ruined! . . . My eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (verse 5). God then atones for Isaiah’s sin and commissions him as a prophet. Of note here is that Isaiah is experiencing a prophetic vision; thus, he is not seeing Yahweh, per se, but a symbol of His presence and majesty. Or this could be another Christophany (see John 12:41). No one has ever seen God, who is “the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:15–16, emphasis added). It is only through God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that we can approach God, know God, and see God.GotQuestions.org Related Resources: If Moses met face to face with God, why, later, was he not allowed to see God’s face? | GotQuestions.org Did Moses see God? | GotQuestions.org John 12:47 "If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. BGT John 12:47 καὶ ἐάν τίς μου ἀκούσῃ τῶν ῥημάτων καὶ μὴ φυλάξῃ, ἐγὼ οὐ κρίνω αὐτόν· οὐ γὰρ ἦλθον ἵνα κρίνω τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα σώσω τὸν κόσμον. KJV John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. NET John 12:47 If anyone hears my words and does not obey them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. CSB John 12:47 If anyone hears My words and doesn't keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. ESV John 12:47 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. NIV John 12:47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. NLT John 12:47 I will not judge those who hear me but don't obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. NRS John 12:47 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. NJB John 12:47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully, it is not I who shall judge such a person, since I have come not to judge the world, but to save the world: NAB John 12:47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. YLT John 12:47 and if any one may hear my sayings, and not believe, I -- I do not judge him, for I came not that I might judge the world, but that I might save the world. MIT John 12:47 "If anyone hears my words and does not conserve them, I will not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to rescue the world. judge: Jn 12:48 5:45 8:15,16,26 for: Jn 3:17 Mt 18:11 20:28 Lu 9:56 19:10 1Ti 1:15,16 2Pe 3:15 1Jn 4:14 John 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HEARD WORDS MUST BE HEEDED WORDS If - Third class condition indicating potential action. Anyone hears (akouo) My sayings (rhema) and does not keep (phulasso) them, I do not judge (krino) him; for I did not come to judge (krino) the world (kosmos) - In the previous passage Jesus spoke of the blessing of belief, but now presents the negative consequences of unbelief (see next verse). Hears and does not keep is a description of disobedience and this is a description of unbelievers. Faith alone saves but the faith that truly saves is not alone, but is shown to be genuine by one's obedience (cf Ro 1:5+). Continuing obedience (not perfection, direction not obeying out of legalism, but by amazing grace) is evidence of a genuine personal relationship with Jesus. John 3:36+ says “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Note he is not saying obedience to the Son saves, but (when compared with many other Scriptures) that obedience demonstrates that one truly believes (cf Jas 2:14-22+). Steven Cole on I do not judge - There is no contradiction between Jesus’ statement in John 3:17 that He did not come to judge the world and His statement in John 9:39 that for judgment He came into this world. He means that the primary purpose in His first coming was not to judge the world, but to provide for the world’s salvation through His substitutionary death on the cross. But as John 3:18-21 shows, the concept of judgment is implicit in Jesus’ coming, because the light divides people into those who come to it and those who hide from it. Christ’s second coming will be for judgment, as the Book of Revelation makes clear.(Final Notice)