Scripture Daily

Context No. 2741 of 4322 · John

Context · Reflection

John 12:34-38: in context

34The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. 36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them. 37But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him, 38that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

The crowd is stuck on a puzzle. We were taught the Christ remains forever, so how can you say the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man? Jesus does not untangle the riddle for them. Instead he presses something more urgent: the light is with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light, before the darkness overtakes you. Believe in the light, and become children of light.

Then he hides himself, and John records the sorrow plainly: though Jesus had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe, and Isaiah's old lament came true, Lord, who has believed our report? Jesus turns a question about theology into a question about right now. The issue is not whether they can solve the puzzle but whether they will walk in the light while it is still shining. Belief has a season. The light does not linger forever for the permanently undecided.

Am I turning a real call to follow into an endless debate, letting the light pass while I keep asking questions I could answer by walking?

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