2014.12.14 礼拝

December 14, 2014 – Message: John 12:37-50 “Walk in the Light”
There is so much darkness in this world which we may not realize. The speech by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala, does not seem penetrate effectively into to hearts of Japanese who are able to have education without any problem. In Japan, there are students who give up or stop attending schools while there are still many children around the world unable to attend schools for various reasons. We are unaware of such darkness since we take education for granted and even complain of not wanting to attend.
We have a relatively peaceful life in Japan; therefore, it seems difficult for the Japanese to realize the darkness of not knowing Jesus. Without knowing the love of God, it is impossible to realize an ideal community as crimes, struggles and hunger continue to exist. We all face physical death sooner or later and the question is whether we see the light or darkness beyond. Christmas is a time to remember the love of God who gave us his only Son so that we will have eternal life.
John 12:29-40 – For this reason they could not believe, because as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn – and I will heal them.”
Had God planned to blind their eyes? Can salvation be gotten through efforts? Both could be right and both could be wrong. The answer is in the Bible.
John 12:42-43 – Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.”
There was a choice of believing Jesus or not and the decision was made through human will. While God knows everything, wants us to spread his love to others and lead them to salvation.
John 12:44 – Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.”
Jesus did not suddenly appeared and proclaimed to be God. His coming had already been foretold in the Old Testament.
John 12:46 – I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
Unless we are aware that we are walking in the darkness, there is no way to seek the light. And anyone who believes in him, regardless of race, will have eternal life.
John 12:47-48 – As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
Jesus wants to save as many as possible, even one more. He did not come to judge.
John 12:49-50 – For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal like. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.
Jesus spoke what God meant him to say and whoever believes in him will have eternal life (John 3:16). God did not send his only Son to judge the world but to save (John 3:17).
God knows everything; however, we do not know who will be saved or not. Therefore, it is our mission to let as many people know that Jesus is the light. Christmas is a good opportunity to show the light.