Read John 12:20–50
Just about everyone who speaks English can quote Matthew 7:1 in the King James Version—“Judge not lest ye be judged.” But if you’ve read the Bible past that one verse, you probably know that Jesus does a lot of judging. John 12:20–50 is one such passage. It reminds us there are real, eternal consequences to our actions today.
Central to this passage is the idea that people will be judged based on their relationship to the truth revealed in Christ. Jesus states, “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness” (12:46). Light, in this context, symbolizes truth and revelation. Those who embrace the light—who believe in Jesus—are freed from judgment. But those who reject Him, who choose to remain in darkness, will face condemnation, not because Jesus came to judge them, but because in rejecting Him, they reject life itself.
Jesus clarifies that He does not come to the world as a judge but as a Savior: “I did not come to judge the world but to save the world” (10:47). Yet, He also acknowledges that rejection of His message brings inevitable judgment. The Word that He has spoken—the truth He has revealed—will serve as the standard for judgment on the last day (10:48). In other words, people are judged by their response to the gospel—whether they receive or reject the light that has been given to them.
The “why” of judgment is rooted in love. God desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus’ mission was to rescue humanity from darkness, but those who turn away from Him choose separation from the very source of life. In rejecting the light, they embrace the consequences of darkness—spiritual death.
Judgment, then, is not arbitrary but flows from each person’s response to Christ. The invitation is clear: walk in the light, receive eternal life, and escape the judgment that follows a rejection of truth. Today, we are called to embrace the light of Christ and live in the freedom of His salvation.
Begin praying with Psalm 9:7–8:
“But the LORD sits enthroned forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
And he judges the world with righteousness;
he executes judgment on the nations with fairness.”