Lenten Devotion: Jesus the Light of the World (John 12:38b-50)
Day 34 – 12 Apr 2025
“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 12:46
To sleep in the dark for a young child may be frightening. Likewise for me, I have a habit of turning on the hotel toilet lights whenever I am on vacation. It gives me great comfort that there is some light in a darkened room.
In today’s devotion, John quoted Isaiah’s lament about the unbelief of the people despite having God’s saving grace and mercy revealed to them. Their unbelief came about because God in his judgment had blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts since they did not believe in Him. Nevertheless, for those who “see with their eyes and understand with their heart and repent”, God would heal them.
At this juncture of Jesus’ ministry, John acknowledged that there were those in authority who believed in Jesus, yet because they feared being expelled from the synagogue, they did not publicly acknowledge their allegiance and trust in him. It is a stark reminder of the danger of putting human approval above God’s. A true faith requires courage and not fear of men.
Jesus warns those who rejected him that they would be rejecting the Father as well. He also emphasizes that to believe in him is also to believe in God the Father, they are inseparable. His mission to mankind is to bring light to the darkness of human sinfulness and ignorance. Finally, Jesus did not come to judge but to save, though rejection of his message will bring judgement.
During this season of Lent, besides fasting and spending time mediating on God’s word, Jesus reminds us to be the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:16). We are to do this by “making disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Let us take that up the commission that Jesus Christ gave us and not hold back for the day of His coming is drawing near.
Andrew Cheang🙏✝