Scripture to Read: John 12:34–43
After Jesus had spoken about His crucifixion, the people were somewhat confused, for we read in John 12:34, 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?” Again, the people were too focused on an earthly Messiah, King, and Kingdom and not a heavenly one. Christ is eternal and does remain forever, just not on this earth—that is why we read what Jesus told them in John 12:35–36, 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, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. Jesus told the people that He was and is the True Light and that without Him, people walk in darkness. Then, we read (in John 12:37–43) that many of the people who had seen His miracles still did not believe in Him. God had the Apostle John use two Scripture passages from Isaiah (Isaiah 53:1, Isaiah 6:9–10) to explain how this was prophesied. But then there were others who did believe, but those who believed still feared men over God; therefore, they were unwilling to confess Jesus publicly.
Challenge & Application
• From what you learned today, what were some consequences of people remaining in the darkness?
• How do we guard our hearts from desiring men's approval over God's approval? (For help, see Galatians 1:10 & 1 Thessalonians 2:4.)
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!