46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 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. 48 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.

49 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. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

John 12:46-50 (ESV)

Yesterday Jesus told His audience that if you’ve seen Him, you’ve seen the Father…that He is the perfect representation of God (Hebrews 1:3). As John said in Chapter 1, “The word became flesh and dwelt among us.” And that by believing in Him, they also believe in the Father who sent Him. 

Light in the world

To this He now reminds them that He is the light of the world. Like many things in John, this idea is repeated. John started his book by telling us in John 1:4-5 that Jesus is the life which is the light of men. It shines in the darkness. Light represents the understanding of God and experience of true life. Darkness is ignorance and sin.

Consequences of unbelief

Now he moves on to those who don’t believe. Those who reject Him reject the Father and will be judged. John already told us in John 3:17 that God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but to save it. “The incarnation wasn’t necessary if Jesus came only to judge. He didn’t need to add humanity to His deity to do that, but He did need to do it to rescue humanity.” (enduringword.com) 

Father’s mouthpiece

Jesus was the Father’s representative on earth. Out of obedience, He spoke and did exactly what the Father told Him to. He didn’t just represent the Father’s message; He actually spoke exactly what the Father gave Him to speak. Jesus fully respected the Father’s authority. He knew the power of what He was given to speak. “Jesus did not deliver a message that He had devised, but one that He had received from the Father (cf. Deut. 18:18-19).” (planobiblechapel.org)

<- Reflection ->

• Do you think you can be God’s mouthpiece? If you simply read aloud or quote from memory the Word of God, you are His mouthpiece – saying exactly what God would say (and did say)! Just be prayerful and not prideful.