Contemplative Bible Reading

John 12:47-48 (New International Version)

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. ⁴⁸ There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.

There are times when I forget the simplest of things. I don’t think that I am unique in this failing. Here is one of the simplest of things:

Jesus came to earth to save the world

Okay, we have that simple statement in print. Let’s sit quietly and contemplate that for a few lifetimes, or at least two minutes, well, maybe ten seconds. There, done with that. Now, for the rest of my life, the rest of my life would be much better if I can keep that simple statement from Jesus about himself in the front of my mind.

I believe – here is where I wander into dangerous ground – that God created the world and created mankind in the world to be a wonderful place. God intended for our lives here to be the best of everything any of us can imagine. Then mankind messed it up, and things have been pretty messed up since that moment. Now what do we do with this mess?

We don’t have to do much, because

Jesus came to earth to save the world

There, now we have it. Simple. Jesus gave us what we need to change, to be different, to stop being messed up.

Oh, and one more thing in verse 48. God also allows us to choose. God allows us to reject Jesus and His saving of the world. God will judge those who reject Jesus, but He does allow for rejection.

I suppose there are enough of us who reject Jesus to keep things here on earth pretty messed up. And I acknowledge that I have my moments where I contribute to the general mess. I think that I am improving in my efforts to get out of the way and let the saving power of Jesus do its work. Still, I have a long way to go.

Isn’t it odd how I have trouble merely getting out of the way?