The Passage
John 12:27-36a
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.”
Word Work
Personalize the meaning. Respond as God speaks to you through the Scriptures. Ask: How could my life be different today as I respond to what I’m reading?
Word Thoughts:
First and foremost, the gospel is the good news of how God reconciles sinners to himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But it is also the story of Jesus’ triumph over all evil and over Satan himself, “the ruler of this world.” Jesus came into the world to destroy him who holds the power of death (that is, the Devil) and to free those “who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Heb. 2:15; cf. 1 John 3:8). His “bruised heel” secured the “crushed head” of the Serpent—fulfilling the first gospel promise (Gen. 3:15).
Satan’s defeat has already been secured, and the clock is ticking on his ultimate demise. His present flurry of fury is actually a sign that he knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12). (1)
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- What did Jesus mean for this hour I have come?
- What is Jesus talking about when He says, walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you?
End in Prayer
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