John 12:36-50

36While you still have the light with you, believe in that light. So then you will become children of light.’ When Jesus had said this, he went away. He hid himself from them.

37Jesus had done many miracles that the people themselves had seen. But even then, they still did not believe in him.

38This showed that the prophet Isaiah had spoken true words when he said: ‘Lord, has anyone believed our message? You have shown how powerful you are, but nobody has really understood.’

39Isaiah spoke also about why the people could not believe.

40He said: ‘God has made their eyes unable to see. He has closed their minds. So they cannot see with their eyes, and they cannot understand with their minds. They will not turn to me, so that I can make them well.’

41Long ago, Isaiah saw the great glory of Christ. That is why he said these things. He was speaking about Jesus.

42But even at that time, many of the Jewish leaders did believe in Jesus. But they were afraid of the Pharisees. So they did not tell people that they believed. They were afraid that the Pharisees would send them away from their meeting places.

43The Pharisees wanted other people to praise them, more than they wanted God to praise them.

44Jesus said in a loud voice, ‘Anyone who believes in me does not believe only in me. That person believes also in the one who sent me.

45Anyone who looks at me does not see only me. They see also him who sent me.

46I have come into the world to be a light for people. Everyone who believes in me will not remain in the dark. That is why I came.

47Not everyone who hears my words will obey them. I will not judge anyone who is like that. I did not come to judge the people in the world. I came to save them.

48But there is something that will judge people who refuse to believe in me. Those are people who do not accept my message. The message that I have spoken will itself judge people like that on the last day.

49The words that I have spoken did not come from me myself. They came from the Father, who sent me. He told me what message I must speak. He told me the words I must say.

50The message that the Father has given me causes people to have life for ever. I know that. So I speak only those things that the Father has said to me.’