Today’s readings .. Deuteronomy 2, Proverbs 29, John 12

How challenging are the words of Jesus that form the closing verses in today’s 12^th chapter of John’s gospel! “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.”  

The 2 verses which follow, the last in the chapter, are equally challenging!  Jesus says, “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.  And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Oh the wonder of “eternal life”!  It is far beyond our comprehension! It is clear there is no neutral position, Jesus declared, “Whoever is not with me is against me” [Matt. 12 v.30]. What is our reaction to “the word that” Jesus has “spoken”?  So many ignore it today!  We cannot do that – we have to do the opposite! 

How close are we now to “the last day”? Is this the last year? It is 70 years since Israel became a nation again and soon their Saviour will appear – how astonished they will be!  But what about our astonishment! It is all beyond our imagining!  

Are the words we read at the end of Hebrews ch. 9 true of us?   “Christ … will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”  Those eagerly waiting will have no fear about how “the word that” Jesus has “spoken will judge” them “on the last day.”  

Let us each examine our hearts to make sure that is true for you and for me.