John 12:44-50

This week in our L3, we have been reading predominantly through John chapter 12, and here's what we have been reading about: the religious leaders' plot to kill Jesus develop further, Mary anointing Jesus' feet, Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Greeks beginning to seek Jesus, Jesus saying that He must be lifted up and that He will draw all people to Himself, the unbelief of the people, and Jesus' statement that the one who believes in Him also believes in the Father who sent Him. This last statement is where we will focus for the remainder of this post.

The Revelation of God

Jesus says in 12:44-45, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me" (ESV). He also says in 12:50, "What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me." The idea here is simple. Jesus is one with the Father. He is the exact representation of the Father. When we see Him, we see God. When we hear His words, we hear the words of God. When we obey His words, we obey the words of God. Jesus says that He came "into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." Part of Jesus' purpose in coming in the flesh was to make the invisible God visible to a lost and dying world. He came as revelation. Paul says it this way in Colossians 1:15, "He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God" and, in 1:19, "in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell." 

The Bottom Line

When we see Jesus, see what He does and what He says, we clearly see God in action. We can know the heart and mind of God. We see one who speaks the truth in love. We see one who cares for the broken and downtrodden. We see one who heals the sick and the lame. We see one who hates sin and death, and who will go to the ultimate length to end it once and for all.

We have the chance to know God more through His written Word, the Bible. Let us not take it for granted. Let us take full advantage of our opportunity to see the image of the invisible God, Jesus Christ, in action.

In the Son,

Bill Horn
FBC Worship Arts Pastor