Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:30-32
I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:27-36, where we Jesus talking and teaching a crowd in Jerusalem during Passover. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.
- What do we learn from the text about God?: As the Incarnate Son of God, both fully God and fully human, Jesus experiences what all people experience, including pain and suffering - see v27 where Jesus is "troubled" as He knows the hour for His crucifixion is near. As God, He can stop this but He does not as He shares that "for this purpose I have come to this hour." Jesus asks God to glorify the Father's name in v28 and the Father responds yes I have and yes I will again. Jesus was sent by the Father and we must recall from John 10:30 that God and the Father are One. Jesus shares in v30 that the voice from Heaven was come for the sake of those listening to Him so that they can believe. Vv31-32 shares how judgement is coming to the world and that Jesus will die and rise to Heaven and save others through their faith in Him. We must understand Jesus' plan to seek and save the lost - that is why He came (Luke 19:10) - this believers' purpose also. Jesus wants to save as many as possible - see vv35-36 where Jesus warns people that He will not be around very much longer (He will die, rise and be seated on right hand of the Father) and if they do not believe, they will face eternal damnation and darkness.
- What do we learn from the text about people?: Those in the crowd listening to Jesus heard the Father speak to Jesus and believed it was thunder or an angel - v29. This was indeed a divine moment yet most (except perhaps the disciples who were nearly always with Jesus) in attendance did not see it as the Father speaking to the Son and we will see later how the people did not believe in Him (v37). V34 demonstrates this unbelief due to their questioning of what He is teaching.
- Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid trusting in our own understanding but instead in wisdom and understanding that comes from God alone (Proverbs 3:5). We should claim the promise that faith in God will give us eternal life. We should follow the example of Jesus who obeyed the will of the Father to die on the cross - we too must deny our earthly desires and instead do His will. We should believe and walk in the light - Jesus Christ.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves. I am not deserving of how You love and save. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
