John 12:37-50 (NIV)

Today’s passage recounts the last moments in John’s Gospel where Jesus is in public and not in custody. Right after this the scene shifts to a private room where he will share the Passover meal with his disciples, where he will wash their feet and be betrayed by Judas. The story is about to zoom in and slow way down. But first John uses this scene as a summary of Jesus’ ministry so far.

Remember chapter one, how it’s a kind of road map for the book. The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us… he came to his own but they did not recognize him… He is the light of the world that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Keep these things in mind as you listen to John summarize the first half of his story about Jesus.

----------REFLECT----------

1. What images stood out to you from this passage? Why do you think that is?

2. The Jewish leaders would not acknowledge their faith in Jesus for fear of being removed from their faith community. Do you ever fear associating with Jesus? Consider how much of that might be due to desiring honor from people over honor from the LORD.

3. Jesus draws a contrast between hearing his words and rejecting his words, not keeping them versus not accepting them. So on the one hand there are those of us who hear and trust and agree, but then we just struggle. And then there are those of us who reject Jesus’ words, not trusting, not agreeing, and rather than struggling with them, we flat out deny their authority over us. Which are you more inclined towards?

----------CONNECT----------

Find an InterVarsity Chapter >>