August 9, 2023
A Necessary Course of Action
“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?’ 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.’” John 12:34-35 (NASB)
An interesting story: “My wife and I used to tell our children a story to explain the love of Jesus. A little boy wanted a model sailboat. So he began saving his money until finally he had enough. He went to the toy shop and picked out his kit, making his selection with great care. He spent weeks perfecting that boat, and finally when it was finished, he took it down to the lake. It sailed beautifully—right across the lake and out of sight. Naturally, the young boy was distressed and began a frantic search. But despite his efforts he was unable to find his boat. Several weeks later he was walking past a store window and to his amazement saw his boat with a sizable price tag attached to it. He went in and told the owner, “Sir, I would like to have my boat back.” The owner said, “Well, I am sorry, but I paid good money for it. You will have to pay for it.” That poor boy worked and worked until he finally got enough money together, again, and bought his boat back. As he walked out of the store, he said, “Now you are twice mine—once because I made you and once because I bought you.” Jesus created us, and he purchased us by his death on the cross, and now we can be twice his.”[1]
“Who is this Son of Man?” The terminology Jesus used as “Son of Man,” was contrary to the crowds’ understanding of what they viewed to be Messiah. They believed Jesus would come to defeat all of God’s enemies, thereby establishing a kingdom of ruling in righteousness. They were looking for someone to lead them, “in a forever capacity” based upon their understanding of the Old Testament. Daniel 7:13 says, “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.” And then 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.” Their understanding from Ezekiel was the Messiah “will be their prince forever.” Because of this, many did not believe He was the true Messiah if he would die. They also wanted to understand if the Messiah were going to be lifted up, how would He be with them forever? We know, this time refers to the future coming of Jesus. The first time He came would be a sacrifice for our sins. The second time, He would come to gather. Jesus said, “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.” He was saying, “Take advantage of your privileges while I am still on earth,” “so darkness will not overtake you.” The statement overtake you, comes from the idea of a thief coming and robbing. While they had a chance, they could take advantage of the Light (Jesus) and see, but there were those who chose to stay in darkness. These people are left on a path where there is no clear way out, leaving them in hell. We all make choices. We all have a choice with Jesus. He created us. He wants a relationship with us. Therefore be like the child above, so Jesus can say, “You are mine twice.”
[1] Hughes, R. K. (1999). John: that you may believe (p. 308). Crossway Books.