Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me." (Jn 12:44-50)
Jesus says:
- Whoever believes in me
- Whoever sees me
Those who see Jesus and believe in him see and believe in the Father. This is a public and open statement that Jesus is making before he goes into taking to his disciples and then he does not address the public. To the general public he says that he and the father are one. He, as a light, has come to remove darkness.
He says again:
- Anyone hears my words and does not observe
- Whoever rejects
Those who do not observe the words of Jesus and reject him are condemned and judged. Jesus does not condemn them but the words that he has spoken condemn them. These words are from the Father and they are eternal.
In this passage Jesus speaks about two of his activities: 1) he has come to reveal the father and 2) he has come to save the world. Those who believe and see, and hear and accept him as God sent are saved. Those who do not, will be condemned not by him but by his words. This is the final challenge that Jesus places before the public.
