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John

John 
Day 
Day 166

The question of "the people"

Text: John 12 : 23-36

THE QUESTION OF “THE PEOPLE”

John noted the response of the crowds as they listened to Jesus! They had heard a truly moving and profound word from Jesus! They had heard a thundering voice from heaven even if they could not comprehend what it said. Yet they raised an objection to the teachings of Jesus.


“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?'”
John 12:34

The old axiom, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” seems to hold true as far as this crowd was concerned. “The Law” was a general term that was actually meant to be a reference to the Old Testament Scriptures! Their general (“vague” seems to be a better word) understanding of the Scriptures was that “The Christ” would remain forever.

The people were responding to what Jesus said, based on their own understanding of what the Law said. Their understanding concerning the doctrine of “The Christ” was that He was eternal! How could Jesus speak about His death, and still maintain that He was “The Christ”, or “The Son of Man”? Was Jesus teaching something else, outside the Scriptures?

Were the people really seeking to clarify their doubts? Or were they in fact challenging Jesus concerning His teaching? Were they in fact subtly objecting to what He said?

DID THE LAW SPEAK OF THE DEATH OF THE MESSIAH?

The Jews maintained that they were right in their understanding of the Law. They were uncomfortable with the concept Jesus taught concerning the death of the Son of Man. However, if we were to examine the Scriptures carefully, we would realize that “The People” were wrong in their reading of the Scriptures!

Isaiah was one of the major prophets who wrote extensively concerning the life and ministry of the Messiah. In Isaiah 52 and 53 we have a very detailed description of the suffering and death of the Messiah! If the people had only read their Scriptures carefully, they would have realized that their understanding of the Law had been wrong all this while!

Let us look at the specific reference to the death of the Messiah written in the Book of Isaiah.

“He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
And they made His grave with the wicked –
But with the rich at His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was any deceit in His mouth.”
Isaiah 53:8-9

The people had spoken out of ignorance. There was clear reference to the death of the Messiah!

THE GRACIOUS RESPONSE OF JESUS

John noted the gracious reply of Jesus to the sentiments of the people.

“‘A little while longer the light is with you.
Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you;
he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
While you have the light, believe in the light,
that you may become sons of light.’
These things Jesus spoke, and departed,
and was hidden from them.”
John 12:35-36

How sad the heart of Jesus must have been as He listened to the people. They did not realize just how benighted they really were. There He was, shining as a light in the midst of their darkness. Yet, they seemed to prefer their darkness, their ignorance, than to walk in the light that Jesus offered!

Jesus knew that they would continue to walk in the darkness of their knowledge. Their very limited knowledge would be their undoing, if they did not take the trouble to step away from their darkness! If they persisted to walk in their darkness, they might find themselves overtaken by their darkness! When people walk in darkness, they do not know where they are going.

The little “knowledge” that the people had concerning the Messiah was incomplete, inadequate and insufficient at best! How did they dare to challenge Jesus when He taught them?

What was the way out of their darkness? Jesus once again encouraged the people to have faith in Him. If only they would just believe in Him as “The Light”. Then they would become “Sons of Light”. They would not need to walk in darkness anymore! They would understand what Jesus was trying to teach them.

HOW WELL DO WE KNOW THE SCRIPTURES?

Let us be deeply challenged to examine our knowledge of the Scriptures! How well do we really know what the Lord’s Word teaches? How much time do we devote to the study of the Scriptures?

Our reading of the Scriptures should lead us to understand and appreciate our Saviour very much more. Our faith in Christ should cause us to become “sons of light”. We should no longer be walking in darkness. How dangerous it is to have darkness overtake us as it did “The People”. Let us determine to know the Lord’s Word well!