John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
What Do You Do with Jesus?
John 18:31 says, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” The Bible is very clear on why John wrote what he wrote, why God gave this to him. It is written so you can believe Who Jesus is, know why He came, and do something about it.
Well, who is Jesus? That is abundantly clear. He is God the Son, the Son of God. Why did He come? He came to die for the sins of the world. The only question in play today is, “What will you do?” You see, eternity hinges on what you do with Jesus Christ.
What about the religious leaders of Jesus’ day? They rejected Him. It is a very sad part of this good news story of Jesus’ life and ministry. John 19:6-7 says, “When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.” They said this because “he made himself the Son of God.” That is exactly what Jesus did.
You will never solely look to Jesus if you believe what you already have is enough. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” It doesn’t matter how good, religious, or knowledgeable about the Bible you are, you still need to be saved. Eternity hinges on what you do with Jesus Christ. The religious leaders rejected Him.
What of Pilate? Pilate washed his hands of Jesus, yet Pilate was still guilty. Pilate thought that because he repeatedly said that he found Jesus to be innocent that he was absolved of guilt. His wife had a bad feeling about this, yet Pilate ignored his conscience. He was guilty of innocent blood, and God will judge us on how we judge Jesus.
Pilate ignored his conscience and asked a really foolish question because he had already ignored the answers that Jesus had given. Pilate said, “Art thou a king then?” Jesus replied, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born… that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” Pilate then asked, “What is truth?”
Pilate was being coy. He later said that he found no fault in Jesus, but Pilate was not accepting the light that Jesus had given. When Pilate began to be uneasy that something was really afoot here, that Jesus might really be someone, John 19:9 says, “And went again unto the judgment hall and saith to Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave no answer.” Pilate goes on to say, “Don’t you know that I can judge you. I have the power of life and death.” He said this to God the Son Who will judge Pilate one day.
What about Peter? Peter denied Jesus three times. Then, he went out and wept bitterly. He knew Jesus, but didn’t speak up for Him. It is easy to judge Peter, but we wonder what we would have done.
Finally, there were eleven who followed Jesus. John 21 gives us the story of Jesus coming to them again and saying, “Follow me.” This was not a new message. He had given this command to them at the very beginning, but they had fled, denied, and betrayed. So, He came to them again and said, “Follow me.”
For somebody you may know today, eternity hinges on what they do with Jesus Christ. Will you speak of Him? Perhaps today you are one who needs to receive the Lord Jesus to save your soul. Eternity hinges on what you do with Jesus Christ, and John was written so you might know Who Jesus is and do something about it.