Walk In the Light

Introduction

Last week, we closed our time learning that the Pharisees expanded their plan. They had planned to kill Jesus, but now they plan to kill Lazarus too.

Today we come to the 20th verse of John 12. At this point in the story, come Greeks come asking to see Jesus. If you have your Bibles, and I hope that you do, turn with me to John chapter 12, and we’ll begin reading in verse 20.

Introduction of Some Greeks

John 12:20 NIV

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.

We are told that some Greeks had come to worship at the festival. This does not seem to have been a normal Greek practice since they had a plethora of gods in their own culture to worship (cf. Jn. 7:35) (v. 20).

John 12:21 NIV

They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”

They came to Philip, and John reminds the reader that Philip (like Andrew and Peter) was from Bethsaida.

The casual reader might miss John’s reason for revealing Philip’s hometown. Bethsaida had a strong connection to the Greeks. This is partly due to its geographic location on the northeastern corner of the Sea of Galilee. Its location was very close to the Decapolis—a region of ten Greek-influenced cities in Syria.

Furthermore, the town had a significant non-Jewish population and bordered pagan beliefs. Thus, there was a natural point of contact between Jewish and Greek.

The reason the Greeks singled out Philip may have been because of his of something in his background. After all his name was a Greek name, and he came from a town that had a significant Greek influence. This may have made the Greeks think that because of these facts, Philip would be more receptive to their request (v. 21a).

The Greeks wanted to see Jesus, and wanted Philip to facilitate the introductions to the great rabbi (v. 21b).

John 12:22 NIV

Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

It appears that Philip is not sure what to do with their request, so he goes and talks it over with Andrew (v. 22a).

In turn, both Andrew and Philip take the request to Jesus (v. 22c).

But John says NOTHING about Jesus meeting with the Greeks or what happened in that meeting. He simply tells us of their request, and then we hear NOTHING else from them.

Jesus’ Response

John 12:23 NIV

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Again, John tells us nothing of Jesus’ encounter with the Greeks (if there even was an encounter).

Jesus tells his disciples that the hour has come for Jesus to be glorified—a clear reference to his impending death burial and resurrection.

It appears that John signals a change in the focus of Jesus’ ministry. Many scholars have suggested that John’s abrupt change signals that this will be the last of Jesus’ public ministry encounters. That after this encounter, John is going to focus on Jesus’ final teachings that he did with his disciples (cf. Jn. 12:36). If this is true (and I believe it is) these may be some of the most important teachings given by Jesus.

This is certainly what happens in John’s account of the story.

Jesus Gives a Wheat Analogy

John 12:24 NIV

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

A kernel of wheat stays a kernel of wheat unless it dies (v. 24a).

When it is buried in the ground (dies) it grows up and produces more seeds (v. 24b).

John 12:25 NIV

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Jesus is going to take the illustration of the wheat kernel and apply it to the disciples (v. 25):

Anyone that loves (Gk. brotherly love) their life will end up losing it in eternal destruction.

Anyone who “hates” (Gk. hates, detests, disregards) their life will keep (Gk. guard, protect) if for eternal life.

John 12:26 NIV

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Anyone who wants to serve Jesus (v. 26a)

Must follow Him--serving Jesus doesn’t come with a choice, we MUST follow Him.

This means staying in close proximity to Jesus. Think about this! Jesus is headed to the cross. Serving Jesus means we must be ready to suffer as He suffered. Compare what Paul said in Philippians 1:21 “For me, to live is Christ to die is gain”; Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”.

But it also comes with a promise (v. 26b). Anyone who serves Jesus will be honored by the Father.

John 12:27 NIV

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

Jesus tells his disciples that he is not deeply troubled (v. 27a). The prospect of his glorification, cannot come without his suffering.

Humanly, Jesus would love nothing more than to escape the agonizing suffering that was just around the corner. This is what is troubling him.

Jesus a rhetorical question (v. 27b), “Shall I really ask the father to save me from this hour?” There is no question that Jesus had a firm understanding of the cost of crucifixion.

Nevertheless, the answer to the question is a resounding “NO!” (v. 27c).

And the reason it is a resounding, no is because he came for this exact reason, and for this exact time (v. 27d).

John 12:28 NIV

Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Having answered the rhetorical question, Jesus now asks that God the Father’s name be glorified (v. 28a).

God Answers Jesus

Then there was a voice from heaven (God speaks!) (v. 28b).

“My name has been glorified now, and I will glorify it again (v. 28c).

The Crowd’s Experience

John 12:29 NIV

The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

The entire crowd that was present heard the voice (v. 29a).

But they accredited it to being “thunder” (v. 29b).

Others suggested that an angel has spoken to Jesus (v. 29c).

Jesus Response

John 12:30 NIV

Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.

He begins by telling them that the voice they heard was NOT for his benefit (v. 30a).

Rather it was for their benefit (v. 30b).

Times Are Changing

John 12:31 NIV

Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

Jesus announces that the time of judgment has come on the entire world (v. 31a). The religious leaders thought they were in control of the situation and that they were judging Jesus. The reality is that Jesus is the one and only true judge of the world!

With that judgment, the prince of this world (Satan) will be driven out (v. 31b). The great deceiver is going to lose his power, position, and ultimately his freedom.

John 12:32 NIV

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

By contrast, Jesus will be lifted up from the earth (perhaps a reference to the cross, but ultimately he will be lifted up in his resurrection and ascension) (v. 32a).

When Jesus is lifted up, he will draw all people (Gk. every kind) to himself (v. 32b).

John 12:33 NIV

He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Now we have a side note as to why Jesus said this to show the kind of death he was going to die (v. 33).

The Crowd Spoke Up

John 12:34 NIV

The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

This verse suggests that Jesus still has a pretty large audience (the crowd).

Jesus reference to his death must have confused the people that were listening.

So they quote some of the Old Testament Passages about the Messiah, and these passages seem to contradict what Jesus was saying about dying (cf. 2 Sam. 7:12-13, 16; Ps. 89:26-29, 35-36; 110:4; Is. 9:7; Ezk. 37:25; Dan. 7:13-14).

So with so many passages that confirm the eternal existence of the Messiah, how is it that Jesus would suggest that the Messiah must die? That doesn’t make sense to them.

Furthermore, the crowd wants Jesus to specifically identify the “Son of Man.”

Jesus’ Continues His Teaching

John 12:35 NIV

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.

Notice that Jesus does not answer their question. He had already answered it back in John 5:18, when he told them that he and the Father are one! He simply goes on teaching.

Building on the fact that his death was right around the corner, Jesus clearly states that they will only have “the light” (he already stated that he is the light of the world, cf. Jn.1:4, 9, 8:12; 12:46) for a little while longer (v. 35a).

Because of this, they need to “walk” in the light. This walking in the light is a metaphor for living life according to the teachings of Jesus (i.e. follow Him) (v. 35b).

They need to do this before the darkness overtakes the light (v. 35c). Yet another way of saying that he is going to die.

When someone walks in the darkness they do not know where they are going (v. 35d), because they cannot see. You cannot see any reference points that help you know where you are. And you cannot see any reference points that might give you a clue about direction. You CANNOT see!

John 12:36 NIV

Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

Jesus calls the crowd to believe in the light while the light is still with them (v. 36a).

He challenges them to become children of the light--he is calling them to accept Him as the Messiah (v. 36b).

A Change in Direction

When Jesus had finished teaching,

He left the crowd’s presence.

He hid himself from the crowd.

Belief Verses Unbelief

John 12:37 NIV

Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.

Those that do not believe

John lets us know that even after Jesus performed so many signs (miracles) many of them still did not believe Jesus was the Messiah.

John 12:38 NIV

This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

John is going to quote from Isaiah to prove that Jesus fulfilled the words of the prophet.

Isaiah 53:1 (v. 38)—showing that the people would not believe.

Isaiah 6:10 (v. 40)—showing that God

Blinded their eyes;

And hardened their hearts.

Isaiah himself saw the glory of Jesus and spoke about it (cf. Isa. 6:1-4) (v. 41).

There were some who believed

John 12:42 NIV

Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;

Many of the religious leaders believed in Jesus (v. 42a).

But because of the Pharisees they refused to openly talk about their faith because they were afraid that they would be put out from the Synagogue (v. 42b).

John 12:43 NIV

for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

These men loved human praise more than praise from God (v. 43).

Jesus Final Declaration of Who He Is!

John 12:44 NIV

Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.

Jesus cried out (Gk. cried out, shouted out)--He wanted everyone in the crowd to hear his declaration (v. 44a).

Whoever believes in Jesus is not just believing in him, but also in the one who sent him (v. 44b).

John 12:45 NIV

The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.

The one who looks at Jesus sees the one who sent him (the Father) (v. 45).

John 12:46 NIV

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Jesus is the light shing in the world (v. 46a).

No one who believes in Jesus should stay (Gk. stay, remain) in darkness (v. 46b).

John 12:47 NIV

“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

Jesus points to the fact, that Jesus did not come to judge the world, but to save the world (cf. Jn. 3:17) (v. 47).

John 12:48 NIV

There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.

There is, however, a judge that will judge anyone who rejects Jesus, and does not accept Jesus’ teachings (v. 48a).

The very words that Jesus spoke will condemn people in the last day (v. 48b).

John 12:49 NIV

For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.

Because, Jesus didn’t speak his own message (v. 49a).

He only spoke the words the Father commanded him to say (v. 49b).

John 12:50 NIV

I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Jesus goes on to tell the people that God’s commands lead to eternal (v. 50a).

Jesus repeats that he only says what the Father tells him to say! (v. 50b).

So What

These words of Jesus never left John. There is no doubt that they guided John through his entire ministry.

In fact, when he wrote his first message, walking in the light was the theme. And I believe that they are great words for us to close with this morning.

1 John 1:5–7 NIV

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.