Jesus Is The Light

John 12:42-46 (NKJV)

Jesus is the Light

September 3, 2023

For thousands of years, the Jewish people had been looking for a Messiah. They were expecting a great military leader, one who would overthrow all of their enemies and restore Israel to its former greatness and glory. What they had not expected was that the Christ would appear as a carpenter. They never expected that He would come with no weapons, no army, and no political power. However, throughout the earthly life of Jesus, they were given evidence on top of evidence that Jesus was who He said He was. He proved His identity time and again by His miracles, by His pedigree, by signs and wonders too numerous to mention. Yet, they refused to believe that He was in fact the Messiah. Time and again He revealed Himself unto them, and time and again they rejected Him. The Apostle John said, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." In this 12th chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus once more reveals His identity to the nation of Israel as He cries out, I am come a light into the world.

The Rejection - John teaches in verse 37 why Jesus was rejected. “But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: ‘Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’”

They Rejected His Message - When these Jews heard Jesus speak of being "lifted up", they knew He was referring to crucifixion. In verse 34 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" They had trouble grasping the truth that their Messiah, while He would be a great leader and conquer their enemies, had to first taste of death. Therefore, just as men do today, they rejected the message of the cross. Far too many feel that they can do good works, be religious, or give money to commend themselves to the Lord. In truth, there is nothing that any of us can do to save ourselves. If we reject His message of love through His death on the cross, then there is no hope. Hebrews 10:26, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."

They Rejected His Ministry - Notice the question of the people, "Who is this Son of Man?" They had taken all of His preaching, His teaching and His wonders and had thrown them all away. They understood the title, “Son of Man.” Jesus repeatedly refers to Himself as the Son of Man. By claiming this title, Jesus aligns Himself with the prophetic figure from Daniel's vision and emphasizes His dual nature as both human and divine. Moreover, this title highlights His role as the long-awaited Messiah, who would bring about the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. In Matthew 16:13, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" Jesus answers the question in Mark 14:62 saying, “I Am! And you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven." Again, men still do this today. They hear the Gospel and in effect say, "I am self-made and self-sufficient” but Jesus Christ is “The Light of the World” and “no man comes unto the Father but by Him!" The world can reject Him if they desire, but when they do, they are rejecting Heaven, Hope, and Salvation from Hell. God is patient with us, not willing that any should perish, but that everyone come to repentance. But the day of the Lord is coming, and we must put our trust in Jesus today.

They Rejected His Miracles - Jesus clearly proved Himself to be the Messiah, yet the people refused to hear or see the truth. This is still happening today! People scoff at the message of the cross and of salvation through the blood of Jesus. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18. Even though they have evidence of many changed lives, they call the message outdated, confrontational, narrow-minded, and exclusive. Whatever the excuse, men are still going to Hell rather than simply receiving the claims of the Lord Jesus. In John 14:11 Jesus said, Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Jesus healed the sick, brought sight to the blind, speech to the dumb and hearing to the death! He straightened the limbs of those who were crippled and gave life to the dead right before their eyes and yet they still rejected His miracles then as they reject the miracle of resurrection today.