What A Glorious Light!

“’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. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, ’An angel has spoken to him.’ 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.’ He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 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?’ 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. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.’ When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them" (John 12:27-36, ESV).

In this world, we witness many and various kinds of light, especially in the celebration of Christmas or New Year!

When my wife and I were able to visit Singapore in 2015, we went to Gardens by the Bay. And we saw Garden Rhapsody, "a stunning light and sound show."

We are attracted, fascinated by those blinking, twinkling, glittering or even exploding and dancing lights.

But what can we say to the words of Jesus in John 8:12? He said, "I am the light of the world..."

Let’s direct our attention this time on the topic, WHAT A GLORIOUS LIGHT! while we study our text (John 12:27-36).

Knowing that Christ is the Light of the world -- the Glorious Light, what shall we do?

When the Apostle John wrote the Gospel, he addressed himself repeatedly in the book as, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” He highlighted that Jesus is God and the importance of, not only believing but also loving Jesus.

In the early part of chapter 12, he portrayed the great love of Mary for Jesus. As she was aware of the Great Worth of Jesus, she did not just bottle up in her heart her appreciation and affection for Him. She showed it by her action -- giving her costly possession to Jesus, pouring on His feet a costly perfume.

Then, before our text, there was an account of non-Jewish persons who became aware of the fame of Jesus. Obviously, they were converts to Jewish religion, because they came to Jerusalem to attend the Jewish festival. But being aware that Jesus was also there, they were not just contented of the religious experience. There was desire in their hearts to see Jesus. To see Him, not only visibly. But to have deep spiritual insight and connection to Jesus.

Now, in our text, it is pointed out that Jesus is indeed the Light of the world. And He told us what to do. Knowing that He is the Light, what shall we do then?

WALK IN THE LIGHT (verses 35-36).

We read verses 35-36, “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. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.’ When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them."

In the initial two verses of our text (vv. 27-28), “’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. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again’” -- we realized that several days before in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had already suffered the mental anguish of bearing the wrath of God on the cross. But instead of asking His Father to save Him from the coming suffering, He stuck on His purpose to bring glory to His Father.

God the Father voiced out His approval for the glorious choice of His Son: instead of avoiding intense pain, He preferred to endure it to bring glory to God.

Verses 29-30 recorded some reactions to the heavenly voice. Some heard a noise like thunder. They were not attuned to receive a revelation. Others perceived some kind of communication, but thought of nothing higher than the angels. Only Jesus truly recognized the voice.

In verse 31, Jesus was saying that “by His coming death, (He)… will end the power of sin over Adam’s race, judging and condemning it.” And Satan will be cast out from the spiritual court to accuse believers and curtail his power to dominate humanity.