John 12:47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”
Today’s verse comes from a passage that concludes the public ministry of Jesus. Take a few minutes to read the passage starting in John 12:44 and ending in John 12:50. Then return here for our devotion.
The passage from which our verse is drawn concludes the public ministry of Jesus, as told in the Gospel of John. It takes place immediately before the Upper Room meal with His disciples. The comment by Jesus is prompted by the crowds of people who still were not believing in Him being sent by God despite all that they had seen and witnessed, all of the teachings and the miracles that had been done.
He explained that He was there to bring light and salvation to a world that was living in darkness (John 12:46-47). He made it clear that He did not judge during this first incarnation, but He would judge those who rejected Him in the “last day.” (John 12:48) We have both of these claims verified in the Gospel of Luke (salvation in Luke 19:10) and the book of Revelation (judgement in Revelation 19:11–21).
Jesus uses the same word twice in this verse. It is the Greek word krino, meaning separate, distinguish, decide, or evaluate. In some cases the word is translated as condemn or used in that sense. The emphasis of the context is that Jesus’s primary mission was not to condemn or punish humanity. Rather, it was to offer salvation to mankind.
As believers, we need to remember that though we have been saved and Jesus died for our sins, there is still a final judgement to come. We need to get our hearts right, repent of sins, and seek forgiveness. And we need to be sharing the Gospel with others so that they, too, can be saved.
Prayer: Lord, Thank You for the first time you came and for giving Your life for me. Help me to get my life in order, my heart transformed, and my sins forgiven before You come again. Amen
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