John 12:44-50
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Read John 12:44-50 imagining that you are hearing Jesus shout these words to the gathered crowd.
These are the final words Jesus speaks to the crowds before the ordeal of his arrest and execution. He will now gather his closest followers around him and prepare them for his journey to the cross, but in these last words, shouted to the crowd, he sums up his mission and message.
Jesus is very clear: trusting him is trusting God; seeing him is seeing God.
What do you think or how do you feel about this? How do these truths about Jesus affect the way you think about God? Share your thoughts and feelings with Jesus.
Read John 12:44-50 again noticing what Jesus says about remaining in darkness and being judged by truth.
Following Jesus does not mean that we allow Jesus to be part of our lives. It means that we turn from our own attempts to govern our own lives and place ourselves fully under the rule and way of Jesus. For all of us this is a process that will last a lifetime, but until we are headed in the direction of complete surrender to Jesus, we remain in darkness and we bring judgment on ourselves by living our own truth instead of yielding to the ultimate Truth of God embodied in Jesus. Complete surrender is the pathway to light and fullness of life.
Get quiet for a moment and reflect on your own spiritual process. Are you intentionally seeking to surrender all of your life to Jesus?
Consider using the last minutes of this meditation to recommit yourself to yielding to the rule and way of Jesus. Picture his light illuminating your mind and heart.
If you sense Jesus prompting you toward an action of some kind, write it down and make a plan to follow through.
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
