John 12:33-36a - Walking in the Light while There's Still Time

John 12:33-36a

33 But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. 34 The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, in order that you may become sons of light." 

Message: Walking in the Light while There's Still Time

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: As I begin these lessons, I always like to review as these lessons are often small little chunks of information, as I walk through these passages rather slowly at times. Thus far, this is lesson 8 in chapter 12. 

On the heels of Jesus rising Lazarus from the dead in Chapter 11, Mary anoints Jesus with an expensive bottle of perfume. This impacts some people while others are not impressed and want to see him and Lazarus put to death. Passover is near and Jesus is greeted in Jerusalem prophetically or in a similar way as kings have approached others, with palm branches yet with humility, riding on a donkey. The disciples continue to follow but still do not understand Jesus completely, but one day they will, we know this. Meanwhile, the Pharisees remain bothered. 

And then there are certain Greeks that are looking to Jesus and then Jesus begins to give some discourses or words of knowledge. He starts by speaking of his future death and how we need to lose our lives or hate our lives to find fruit and abundant life. Jesus admits he is troubled about future judgment coming before God and yet he knows God has a purpose for people, to give them assurance and Jesus is therefore willing to submit to this. The Father has a purpose at judgment and that is to cast out the prince of this world, Satan, and Jesus by his resurrection and ascension will draw men to Himself at an alarming rate. 

John is interesting and he offers commentary as Jesus is speaking. Like in verse 33 He says - "He was saying this (or these things) to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die." I just noticed the words in verse 32 in which Jesus said, "I be lifted up from the earth." I am sure it doesn't mean this, but as I think of a cross, I think of him being carried in on that cross and then it is lifted up and is upright and then He will die on that cross and He will bear the punishment for our sins. And He will conquer life by dying and then being resurrected. Perhaps this is what John's words are explaining. 

The multitudes are not pleased to hear this. They are not wanting a King or Messiah that will die. They don't see the rescue of them from that happening. They want a Messiah to be a political savior to them, to overthrow the Romans and restore the Jewish state to full independence. The people have read the Law (the entire Old Testament) and they see an everlasting reign for the Messiah: 

Psalm 89:29 - “So I will establish his descendants forever and his throne as the days of heaven."

Ezekiel 37:25 - They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons’ sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever.

But still a man can die for His people and then be raised to fulfill this eternal reign. But they ask Jesus in verse 34, "Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus continues to get this question. Many are believing but many are not, for Jesus is on a mission and has an objective and that objective continues to get in the way of what people naturally want from Jesus. 

This lesson concludes with Jesus stating that He is the Light and He is walking with people now and people need to believe in Him now. Tabletalk for this day remarks that "it will not be any easier to believe after Jesus is crucified and is resurrected from the dead." What better time is there to believe in Jesus than when he is walking right beside you? And yet once he dies on the cross and rises again, the impact from that will grow the church exponentially. In both instances, there is no better time to believe than right now.

Summary: Despite many expecting Jesus to solve a political agenda, they have, Jesus makes it clear that salvation is found in believing in him right now, while he is with them.

Promise: All of us must trust in Christ for salvation today, and we must continue trusting in Him tomorrow as well.

Prayer: Oh, God, as I read the Scriptures and hear how you had worked and been walking this earth. I do often think that there would be no better time to believe in you than when you were walking right beside me physically. And yet through your word, and through the actions of your death, burial and resurrection and ascension, we have the clear testimony, as well of you conquering sent on my behalf, and concluding the work that you intended for all people, to be our permanent and complete substitution, and I have eternal life with you.

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.