Trust in the Light

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

TRUST IN THE LIGHT

John 12:34-36

34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?" 35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

NIV

Although the Law formally refers to the Law of Moses or the Law God gave to Moses to instruct the people, in a more general sense all the scriptures were considered by the name, law. These people are most likely referring to the Psalm that states the Messiah will be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, but they also must have forgotten what Isaiah 53 says about his death. It is always interesting how Jesus never really answers their question directly, but answers in an indirect method using analogies. We know he is speaking about himself, but we are certain they did not get it at that time. We also know that His reign is forever although not in the physical sense they thought the Messiah would reign. He was telling them and all the people of this world that the light will be here just a little while longer. They should have accepted him, walked in his light, while they could before death will overtake them. This is the darkness of death that every person will face if they do not walk in the light. We have the light with us right now. It is the time to decide for those who are still walking in the darkness, to walk in the light. A day is coming when death will overtake each person, and if anyone has not been walking in the light, then the darkness of death will indeed overtake them. Everyone has the opportunity to put their trust in the light while they are still walking. All people must make that choice to be either sons of light and live or sons of darkness and death. It is that simple. But just as these Jews confused the issue because of their disbelief, people today do the same thing. They confuse the issue with so many questions that are irrelevant to the truth. They what physical, empirical, evidence of the truth. They confuse the Old Testament or the Law with the truth of the gospel message. They want us to explain how God is love when he killed so many. They cherry-pick events of the past making God seem a God of wrath and war and not one of love and compassion, just as the Jews only thought of those certain quotes. The truth is everything is always about Jesus, about the love of God for his creation and that he came to take away our sin. It is that simple, it is not confusing, it is not complicated, and it is a simple truth. Walk in the light and have life. Walk in the darkness and die. It is also possible that some believers can over-complicate matters about faith. They can get too wrapped up in the proper method of walking in the light, it is almost like the Jews and their Law. In all reality, trust does not include doing anything. If we have to do something, such as good deeds, certain acts, or actions, then are we putting our trust in the Light or in ourselves? We are so thankful nothing relies on us, other than our trust in the Light. Everything relies on the Light. We are so thankful that we have put our trust in the Light.