Episode 85 - God demonstrated His love toward us - John 12:27-36

John 12:27   “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

In our previous episode, we saw how Jesus recognized that his “hour had come” when he was informed there were Greeks seeking Jesus. Then, he gives a parable to those around him about a grain falling to the earth and dying in order to bring abundant fruit. It becomes clear that he is that grain. He is prophesying about his death. He adds that those who love him will also be willing to forfeit their life in this world for the eternal life he promises. Then he adds that those who do so will be with him in eternity and the Father will honor him. This does not mean that every Christian will be martyred for their faith. It does mean that our perspective toward our life should lead to an attitude of forfeiting our interests in this life to the point that we would die for our faith.

As we read this next section, it’s important to understand that Jesus is saying he is about to die. He asks the question of whether He should ask the Father to save him from this hour. Then, he answers that question himself by saying, “But for this purpose, I have come for this hour.” (v. 27b) He prayerfully speaks “Father, glorify your name.”

In response, a voice from heaven says, “I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.”(v.28) I am inclined to agree with other Bible scholars who suggest that the first time He glorified His name was at the Incarnation; when Jesus was born. Now, He will glorify it again in the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus to the Father’s side in Heaven.

This voice was audible to those around him. However, the message appears to have been understood by few if any. Some said that it was thunder. Some believed an angel had spoken to Jesus. I wonder how the author of this book, John, could confidently give us the message. Maybe John heard it clearly. Maybe others heard it clearly too, but their minds did not want to believe at the moment what they had heard. That Jesus tells them the voice was for their own benefit suggests to me that maybe they had all heard it clearly, but they reasoned it away. I wonder how often I might do that. When reading God’s clearly revealed message in the Scriptures, do I let my mind reason away the implication for me?

The next thing Jesus says is, “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” (v. 31) That’s a message many people may not want to hear. Not only the idea of judgment but the fact that it is coming “now.” What does this mean? It means that Jesus’ death on the cross is the most significant event in the history of the world. God had judged the world with a flood that we read about in Genesis and spares one man and his family. But, we recall that while God considered him “righteous,” he was not perfect. There are other times that God brings judgment upon people for their rebellion against Him. But, His perfect judgment is brought at the cross upon His own Son Jesus who took the divine justice in our place and then conquered death; the penalty, and the effect of sin. The defeat of the ruler of this world, the devil, was accomplished at the cross of Jesus. As we continue in the Christian Scriptures we learn that God is demonstrating His grace and love toward mankind that others would have a chance to hear the good news of Jesus and also receive the forgiveness of their sin and the hope of eternal life. But, the event of Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection is the single historical event that makes certain the promises Jesus is offering those who forfeit their love of this life.

Verse 32 records Jesus’ words, “ And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” In John 3 we read, “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” Now, Jesus is clearly speaking of himself as the Son of Man. Furthermore, as is recorded in verse 33, he said this to indicate how he was going to die. The people get the message. But, they don’t want to buy into it. They want a Messiah who will deliver them from the Romans oppressors. They don’t want to believe this Messiah will die.

Jesus continues with his message that the light of the world will only be with them a little longer. I had the privilege of taking 10-day backpacking treks with each of my sons in the lower Rocky Mountains. Prior to going out into this rugged backcountry, each group is given very clear rules. One of them is to never hike in the dark. Why? Because it’s dangerous. You can fall down or off a mountain. You can run into a mountain lion or a bear. No one may ever find you. Jesus is saying that if you don’t walk in the light he provides, you will be walking in darkness and will fall into danger of losing the eternal life he offers. 

It seems to me that the challenge from this Scripture is whether we are willing to submit our own ideas, feelings, ambitions, and desires that are natural in this life and follow Jesus. He is the true light that came into the world. When we walk in His light, we are safe eternally regardless of what may happen to us in this life.