John 12:48 “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
I often wonder and lament that there seems to be so many very loud and influential people who reject Jesus Christ with impunity. Some reject Him, even denying the existence of God. Some reject Him by not believing and obeying His Word. There are some who seem to employ religion for personal gain and influence, all the while distorting the Word of God, our Lord’s Teachings, to accommodate their carnal motives. Our Lord was addressing those imposters who professed to believe in Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, etc.; but, their profession was simply a means to obtain personal position, power, influence, and wealth. If they had truly believed those Old Testament men, they would have understood such passages as, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;” (Deuteronomy 18:15) and would have rejoiced and recognized and received Jesus Christ as that “Prophet”. Such imposters are just putting on a religious show, “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” (Matthew 23:5-7) and “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43)! The most powerful Jewish leaders hatefully rejected our Lord, “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:” (John 12:42). It is true, as the Lord said, that “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44) and “no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” (John 6:65); that is, “come unto” the Lord in worshipful belief and love. That is, the only way a person can get this loving belief is to have been “born again”, which is the exclusive work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8). Even in our day, let us hear our Lord’s exhortation, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)!