“I
spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.”
John 12:49-50
John 12 [44.] Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. He who sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day. For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.”
John 13 [1.] Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Meaning:
- Divine Authority of Jesus' Words:
For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak: Jesus asserts that His words are not self-generated but are a divine commandment given by the Father. This emphasizes the authority and divine origin of His teachings.
- Eternal Life as the Commandment:
I know that his commandment is eternal life: The core essence of the commandment from the Father is revealed—eternal life. This underscores the transformative and life-giving nature of Jesus' message.
- Alignment with the Father's Will:
The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak: Jesus affirms that His spoken words align precisely with what the Father has communicated to Him. This reflects perfect harmony and obedience to the divine will.
- Significance:
Divine Revelation and Purpose: The passage highlights that Jesus' words are not arbitrary; they are a direct revelation from the Father. The purpose of these words is to convey the divine commandment, which is the pathway to eternal life.
Eternal Life as the Focal Point: The mention of eternal life as the essence of the commandment emphasizes the central theme of Jesus' teachings. His words are not merely informative but transformative, offering the way to a life that transcends the temporal and embraces the eternal.
Relevance for Today:
Authority in God's Word: John 12:49-50 prompts us to recognize the authority embedded in God's Word. In a world filled with diverse voices, Jesus' words stand as a divine commandment, offering eternal life and guiding us through the complexities of life.
Eternal Significance: The focus on eternal life invites us to reflect on the enduring impact of Jesus' teachings. His words, rooted in divine wisdom, offer a perspective that transcends the fleeting concerns of our temporal existence.
Cross-References:
John 5:30: "I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me." Jesus consistently emphasizes that His actions and words are in alignment with the Father's will, reinforcing the divine unity.
John 14:24: "He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me." Jesus reiterates that His words are not self-originated but are derived from the Father, reinforcing the divine source of His teachings.
In Our Daily Lives: As we navigate our daily lives, John 12:49-50 encourages us to approach God's Word with reverence and attentiveness. It invites us to seek the eternal truths embedded in Jesus' teachings, recognizing them as a divine guide leading us toward everlasting life.
I AM
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible