The Verdict (Part 1)

John 12:47-48

When was the last time you were in court? Maybe it was a speeding ticket or for jury duty or as a witness or for some other purpose. For the most part, not many people enjoy the experience- the formality, the less that welcoming ambiance, and imposing presence of judges and bailiffs and even stenographers does not make you feel very much at home. It is something you endure and then move on from.

But for the last 25 days and in the last 12 chapters, we have been right back in the thick of a court case. John's Gospel in many ways is a forensic (legal) document. It is full of courtroom terminology such as witness, testimony, verdict and judgment. The author himself claims that this book is "written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ" (John 20:31) He is trying to led the jury (us) to that same conclusion.

He provides witnesses such as John the Baptist(1:19) or the Woman at the Well (4:39) who give key testimony to who Jesus is.

Of all the miracles that Jesus did, he shares with us seven particular signs that prove Jesus is who He claims to be.
1. Turing the water into wine (Chapter 2)
2. Healing a dying boy (Chapter 4)
3. Healing a lame man (Chapter 5)
4. Feeding the 5000 (Chapter 6)
5. Walking on water (Chapter 6)
6. Restoring sight to the blind man (Chapter 9)
7. Raising Lazarus from the dead (Chapter 11)

And here in chapter 12, he once again brings up the whole conversation about judgment. Jesus reminds us of his true mission- to save the world. But he also reminds us that as a by-product of that mission, there is judgment. Christ did not come in as an accusing prosecutor, seeking our ruin by burying us with the overwhelming evidence of our sin. But in coming to rescue us, he alos exposes our evil for what it really is. Any who reject His message and help stand accused and guilty already. Jesus Christ is Savior, but as Savior he is also Judge. (see John 5:22)

John's Gospel is certainly a legal document, but as we read, we realize that it is not Jesus who is on trial, it is us. The evidence for His deity and character and mission is overwhelming- and therefore the burden shifts to you and me: What are we gonna do about it? Will we "live by the truth and come into the light" or will we "not come into the light for fear that our deeds will be exposed?" (John 3:20-21) The choice is ours. We are on the stand.