Day 4: John 12:30-36

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.  ~ John 12:30-36

One truth is clear: we need Jesus for light. He is light; without Him, there is no light.

No wonder darkness quite literally descended upon the earth during daytime at His death! No wonder the very earth shook. No wonder the sun was darkened. No wonder the disciples were fearful and overwhelmed by grief. The very Light of the World had been put out.

Who could believe in the light while darkness overshadowed the earth?

But this wasn’t the end.

“For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:

but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

Isaiah 60:2-3

No wonder that “if Christ be not raised, your faith is yet vain, ye are yet in your sins” and “we are of all men most miserable”! (I Corinthians 15). If He is dead, we live in darkness.

“BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD”! (I Corinthians 15:19)

Now the light abides in us! Not only did He say, “I am the Light of the World,” (John 8:12), He also said, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) – because He is risen, He is the Light, and He lives within us! Even though He is no longer bodily present upon earth to be the Light, He still remains the Light of the World because He now dwells in us and we in Him. Because of His death, He has redeemed us and made us “at-one” with Himself for all eternity.

Today, believe in the Light and live as you truly are in the kingdom of God: a child of light. Stop living as though the darkness of this world and earthly things are all there is; live in the reality of the heavenly kingdom!

Leave a comment! What is God showing you through meditating on this passage?