“Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me” (John 12:44,45).
TEXT — John 12:27-50
Message
The Ministry 127 website features a story about artist Paul Gustave Dore, who lost his passport while traveling in Europe. At a border crossing, he was recognised by a guard who asked him to sketch peasants. Dore’s skilful and quick work convinced the guard, and his work confirmed his identity.
In today’s passage, amidst the antagonism of the religious bigots who perpetually refuted the authority of Christ, the Father spoke from heaven and confirmed His claims. Christ needed no authentication of His claims by men or angels. He had been with the Father from the beginning of creation, being the second person in the Trinity. Therefore, the voice that spoke was meant to convince the gainsayers that Christ was and is Lord indeed. He is the expected Christ, the Messiah, the Light of the world, and the One that must be lifted for the redemption of humanity. The unprecedented manifestations of God’s power and glory through Christ should have been enough proof of His messiahship, but the Jews sought a sign.
The Scriptures warn against the danger of rejecting God’s words and counsel. It is evidence of spiritual blindness, ignorance, and unbelief. The convincing and convicting power of the Holy Ghost will be lost, and one becomes a reprobate. Like the Jews, many refuse to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour today. Because they are deceived, they hold onto traditions and stereotypes about the Redeemer of humanity. Others are defiant because of their religious, ethnic, and political affiliations. Over time, they become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. The implication of such decisions is that they lose out here and miss the eternal life God offers us all genuine seekers.
The same Jesus rejected by the Jews and Gentiles today will ultimately be the Judge of the whole world. God’s love and salvation by grace is for all. However, He never forces anyone to accept His provision. As free moral agents, the onus is on us to accept or reject His offer of eternal life through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Like Gustave, the renowned artist, Christ still confirms His lordship and messiahship today through countless signs and wonders. Open your eyes and see the signs written all over the universe to confirm His word.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
