John 12:36b–50 - 36 … These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. 37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.” 41 These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. 42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. 44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 “He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. 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. 48 “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 “For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 “I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, Jesus finished speaking and moved away to spend time alone (v. 36b). The people had watched Him do amazing supernatural works, but many still would not trust Him as their Savior (v. 37). This matched what the prophet Isaiah wrote about how people would turn away from God's truth (vv. 38-41). Yet something interesting happened - many top religious officials actually came to faith in Jesus. However, these leaders stayed silent because they were scared of being kicked out of their positions by the other religious authorities. Their reputation meant more to them than what God thought (vv. 42-43). Before leaving, Jesus gave one last powerful speech. He made it clear that having faith in Him was the same as having faith in God the Father, since they were one (vv. 44-46). His mission was to offer people a way to be saved, not to punish them. Still, He warned that ignoring His message would catch up with them eventually. Every teaching He shared, He explained, came directly from His Father as instructions leading to forever life with God (vv. 47-50).
How can I apply John 12:36b-50 to my life?
Light exposes what darkness tries to hide. Jesus came as the light of the world, revealing God's truth and showing people their need for salvation. In this passage, Jesus gave His final public message before going to the cross. His words carried both an invitation and a warning about the consequences of rejecting God's light. Some people turned away from Jesus because His light showed things in their lives they did not want to face. Others believed in Him but kept quiet about their faith because they worried more about what people thought than what God thought. Their choices teach us important lessons about responding to Jesus today. God sends His truth into our lives like rays of light, revealing areas that need to change. We face the same basic decision as those who heard Jesus speak - will we step into His light or stay in darkness? Will we speak up about our faith or stay quiet to keep others happy? Will we accept all of Jesus' teachings or only the parts we like? The eternal impact of these choices makes them matter deeply. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Turn to Jesus as Your Light Before Darkness Overtakes You (vv. 36b-41): Jesus warned the people that His light would not be with them much longer, and many still refused to believe in Him. People today face the same urgent choice between walking in spiritual light or darkness. The decision to turn away from Jesus blocks His truth from reaching your heart, creating a pattern that leads to spiritual blindness. Each time you push aside what you know about Jesus, your spiritual vision grows dimmer. Taking action now to accept Jesus matters because putting off this decision makes it harder to see and accept His truth later. The light of Jesus shines into every dark corner of life, showing both your need for Him and His power to transform you. His light exposes sin while lighting the path to forgiveness and new life. Following Jesus means letting His truth guide your choices, shape your values, and direct your steps. Walking in His light brings clarity about right and wrong, peace in troubled times, and purpose for living. Jesus offers His light freely, but you must take action to receive it. Opening your heart to Jesus allows His light to drive out darkness and fill you with His life-changing presence. Time spent resisting or ignoring Jesus is time lost walking in darkness, so the moment to turn to His light is now. Spiritual blindness comes gradually through repeated rejection, but turning to Jesus breaks the power of darkness and floods your life with His transforming light (Matthew 4:16; Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:5-7).
Food for Thought: What areas of your life have you kept in darkness by refusing to let Jesus shine His light there? How has putting off decisions about following Jesus affected your spiritual sensitivity to His truth?
2. Choose God's Approval Over Human Recognition (vv. 42-43): Many Jewish leaders believed in Jesus but would not say so publicly because they cared more about praise from other people than approval from God. It takes raw courage to stand up for Jesus when others might turn against you. Some days, the pressure feels overwhelming - like everyone watches, ready to judge each word about your faith. People chase after likes, follows, and friendly nods, building their lives around what others think. Yet this endless hunt for human approval drains the soul. God's standards stay firm while people change their minds like shifting winds. When you choose to speak up about Jesus, some friends might walk away. Your coworkers could label you as strange. Family members may shake their heads. But something powerful happens when you break free from people-pleasing: you discover real freedom. The path of following Jesus openly comes with its own unique joy. Each time you take a stand for Him, your spiritual muscles grow stronger. Living for God's approval means doing right even when no one else notices or cares. Sometimes that means standing alone in a crowd. Other times it means giving up chances for advancement or recognition. The choice to honor Jesus above human praise shapes your character in ways that last. True peace comes from knowing that your life points to Jesus, not to yourself. Your daily decisions show the world where your heart truly is (Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 John 2:15-17).
Food for Thought: How does your desire for others' approval influence the way you express your faith in Jesus? What specific situations make it hardest for you to choose God's approval over human recognition?
3. Accept Jesus' Words as God's Way to Eternal Life (vv. 44-50): Jesus made clear that His words came straight from God the Father and lead people to eternal life. His teachings stand as more than good advice or optional suggestions - they form the pathway to life as God designed it. In a world filled with competing voices and mixed messages, Jesus' words provide unchanging truth that guides decisions, shapes character, and transforms lives. Living by His teachings affects everything from handling relationships to making ethical choices at work. The Bible speaks with authority into modern situations, offering practical direction for dealing with money, conflict, and personal priorities. When someone dismisses or changes parts of Jesus' teaching to fit personal preferences, they miss the life-giving power of God's truth. Taking His words seriously leads to hard choices about friendships, entertainment, and business practices. Yet these same choices open the door to genuine freedom and lasting purpose. Jesus' truth breaks through cultural pressure and exposes the lies that hold people back from experiencing God's best. His teachings build a foundation that withstands life's storms and challenges. Some people avoid parts of Jesus' message because it calls for changes they do not want to make. Others pick and choose which teachings to follow based on what feels comfortable. But Jesus gave these words to bring people into right relationship with God and each other. The decision to accept or reject His teaching carries eternal weight, since these same words will stand as the standard of judgment in the final day (Psalms 119:105; Matthew 7:24-27; John 1:1-4).
Food for Thought: What specific teachings of Jesus have you found hardest to accept and follow in your daily life? How does knowing that Jesus' words come from God change the way you respond to biblical teaching?
The final public words of Jesus cut straight to the heart of faith. His message leaves no middle ground - either we walk in His light or stumble in darkness. Either we value His approval above all else or chain ourselves to the shifting opinions of others. Either we accept His words as ultimate truth or turn away from the path to eternal life. Today, these same choices stand before each person who hears about Jesus. Some hide behind excuses, pushing His truth aside until a "better time." Others stay quiet about their faith, hoping to avoid conflict or criticism. Many try to soften His teachings to match their preferences. But Jesus calls His followers to bolder faith - to step fully into His light, to speak up about Him without shame, and to build their lives on His words. The darkness in our world grows deeper, making the light of Jesus shine even brighter. His truth breaks through confusion, His presence drives out fear, and His words light the way to life with God forever. Taking action on these truths opens the door to genuine transformation that impacts both time and eternity.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that you would reveal any beliefs or habits that I have tried to hide from Your truth. I know turning from You even slightly starts me down a dangerous path. Guard my eyes from growing so accustomed to darkness that I lose sight of Your grace.
I pray that You would free me from distorted priorities that value public approval over private obedience. When I feel tempted to shrink back from professing You before others, fill me fresh courage. Remind me that You stand within reach, ready to give me a holy boldness. I pray that you would also give me wisdom to navigate situations where following You comes with a cost. Help me rest in the knowledge that Your assessment of my choices outweighs all else.
I pray that You would write Your words on my heart so that they would shape my instinctive responses. Make me sensitive to the life-breath of scripture rather than verses that simply confirm my own conclusions. Revive my conviction in those areas of my life where I have diluted parts of Your Word that demand more than what is convenient. Give me a passion to align every aspect pf my life with Your teaching.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
John 12:46 - “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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