Jesus gave us more than a hint in John 12. He had
shown that for life to come, a seed must first die and be buried. He was foretelling
His impending death and resurrection in order to bring us life. More than that,
Jesus indicated that His rule was not one of aggression or violence, which was
the common expectation of the Jews concerning the Messiah. He was showing that
His Kingship would come through serving. The throng that followed Him expected a
call to arms to dethrone the dominion of the Romans. But He did just the very
opposite. Here in these verses, we see our Lord looking forward and saw the
effect of the cross and the glorious result it would bring.
First He tells us of the effect of the cross on Himself,
especially on His heart. Bear in mind that though He is in essence God, yet He made Himself exactly like us human.
He did not utilize His divinity to take Him through His most trying moment. He
had divested Himself of all His divine nature and walked like us. So He
revealed what was on His heart. He was greatly troubled and was in anguish. While
He knew that it would ultimately bring glory to God, yet it was painful for Him
to think of the momentary separation from Him whom He so loved, and was never separated
for even a moment. Jesus did not fear for His life nor the agony that He would
have to endure. He was troubled because shortly, He would be bearing the weight
of the sin of the world and be separated from the Father whom He so loved. Christ
Jesus, Who knew no sin, had to become a curse for us. No wonder He was
troubled. He knew He was the lamb that would be given in the sacrifice to save
humanity. Painful as the experience would be, He was not going to shy away from
it. So fearlessly He said that it was for this hour that He had come. Why? He
came to die on our behalf. He came to glorify the Father. He came to demonstrate
the love of God. He came to love us. With such a love, the Father could not remain
quiet. So He thundered from heaven saying, “I have both glorified it, and will
glorify it again.” Not being able to recognize the Father’s voice, some
concluded that an angel had spoken to Him. Jesus, however, was sure that God
spoke more for the sake of the people.
Immediately, Jesus turned
to speak about the effect of the cross on the world. He showed us in verses
31-33 three effects the cross has on the world. Firstly, the cross was a
judgement on the world. When mankind judged Christ on the cross, they were
judging themselves. Secondly, the effect of the cross would drive out the ruler
or the prince of this world, Satan himself. The devil’s intention to destroy the
destiny of man was dealt a great blow. The heel of our Saviour might be bruised
but Satan’s head would forever be crushed. Finally, He showed the positive effect His death
would bring. Notice He clearly revealed the way He would be executed. Like Moses
lifted the snake in the wilderness to provide healing for those bitten by the
snake, Christ would be lifted up on a tree on Mount Calvary. The effect of
Calvary would be the drawing of people to God through Him. There would be the
birth of God’s new community to honour God. No wonder Paul triumphantly exclaimed
in Philippians that every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that Jesus
is Lord, to the glory of the Father.
Many who were present
questioned Him. They were puzzled for they have understood from the Old
Testament that the Christ could not die. How then could Jesus, who claimed to
be that Messiah, die? Of course they totally overlooked the Scriptures in
Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 or Zachariah 13 where the suffering Messiah was foretold. Here
the Lord then issued a challenge telling them to walk while they have the
light. He also indicated here that His physical presence with them would not be
forever. So they should seize the day and make the best of the opportunity. As
we put our trust in the light that Christ has provided and is still providing, only
then can we become children of light.
How do we have fellowship
with God and with each other? In his letters, John reminds us that “If we walk in
the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” Light
and darkness are like water and oil, they cannot co-exist. If we want to be
clear witnesses for Christ, and be able to have honest fellowship with each
other, walking in the light is imperative. It meant walking in integrity and
walking transparently. Let us walk in the light of God’s revelation.
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