You are about to disappear. You have an encounter with death
booked. You are increasingly being asked for help by an ever-expanding group of
people. The demands seem endless, but you have so little time. Really you want
to spend what little time you have left with those closest to you. What final
message would you send out to your wider range of associates – to your public?
That’s the situation in which we find Jesus within this
passage. The crowds are still confused about who Jesus is, and unwilling to
accept all of his teaching. He points out what we all find so difficult, that
it is only by living with a focus outside of ourselves, specifically on Jesus,
that we will truly gain the spiritual vitality that is God’s eternal life
(verses 25-26).
Notice that Jesus is approached by some Greeks, when his
mission was first of all to Jews. The author, John, makes this incredible link
from the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah chapter 6, when he confirms that
Isaiah actually saw Jesus in his vision (Isaiah 6:1). But the problem is that
most of the Jews still didn’t believe in Jesus (verses 37-43).
So Jesus gives out a final last public call for response
(verses 44-50). It’s a very positive one, linking him with his Father, two
personalities who work as one being.
Jesus (sent by his Father), by being lifted up on the cross,
offers to lift any of us out of hopelessness into life. All of those Greeks —
the same is true of all non-Jews – will also have that same offer as a result
of Jesus’ death and resurrection. But of course for those who reject Jesus,
there are clear and unequivocal warnings of condemnation at the last day.
Response
Lord Jesus, help me to
demonstrate my trust in you: by my gratitude
for your death, by my concern for others who face judgement for rejecting you, and
by choosing daily to prefer serving you rather than myself.
Ian
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