John 12
Psalm 25
44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:44-46
Jesus often revealed to those around Him who He truly is – the Son of God. The people during Jesus’ time had the privilege of being able to see Him face to face, some people recognised Jesus for who He is – the Lord. Mary took expensive perfume and poured it on His feet and wiped His feet with her hair. The crowd recognised Jesus as King (yet in a few days they turned against Him). Even Gentiles came to the realisation that Jesus was special and they went to Him.
Certain leaders of the Jewish faith (vs 42) also believed in Him because they had an understanding of the Old Testament scriptures which pointed to Jesus, but because they feared the world (Pharisees) they were afraid.
Judas Iscariot, the chief priests and Pharisees also recognised Jesus, but they saw Him as a threat to their world view and their status in the world. However, their unbelief didn’t come cheap (vs 48). Jesus made it known (vs 50) that the command to follow Him came directly from God, and with that command comes eternal life. So, by rejecting God do you think they stood to gain eternal life?
Where do you stand? Do you recognise Jesus for who He is? Are you prepared to live differently with the hope and knowledge of eternity in the glorious New Earth where you will have a glorious new resurrected body, or are you influenced by the attractions of the world and place your hope in the here and now?