To Save

January 30th, 2025

John 12:44-50

Jesus came to save, not to judge. I think sometimes we lose track of that fact when we are bombarded with all the different ways the world around us does what we think are judgment-worthy things. We get so caught up in pointing out what’s wrong or sinful or “ungodly” about the world, we can forget why Jesus came in the first place: to save the world.

Jesus reminds His disciples in John 12:48 that a judgment is coming for those who reject Him and do not accept His words. What are His words? “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (v. 46). Over and over in the Gospel of John, Jesus reminds us His mission is to be light and to save everyone who believes in Him.

As the church, this simply must be our primary mission in the world as well. We are to embody the light of Jesus in the world, and see as many as would believe be saved. Everything else, including pointing the judgmental finger at the “sinners” around us, is not why Jesus came. Neither must it be our mission.

Author: Mark Hendrickson