In recognition that His time had come to pay the penalty of sin for all mankind Jesus says, “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name” (12:27-28a). Humanly, Jesus knows that He is about to face the most challenging time of His life, but He surrenders to accomplishing the mission for which God the Father has sent Him. In response to Jesus’ words God the Father audibly speaks saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again” (12:28b). God’s words confirmed Jesus’ works both in what He had already done and what He was about to do. When the people nearby heard the voice they were confused. Some thought it was thunder while others believed it was the voice of an angel (12:29), but Jesus reveals the true nature of the voice and words, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up [crucified] from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (12:30-32). God the Father spoke for the sake of those on the earth because Jesus’ coming death would bring judgment upon them, but also defeat for Satan. Sin would be atoned for and all those who will look to Jesus in repentance and faith will be saved from the penalty of sin.
Those who heard Jesus’ words still could not understand how He could proclaim Himself to be the Messiah (whose kingdom will last forever – Isaiah 9:7), but also predict His soon coming death (12:34). Jesus was not really interested is defending His death, burial, and resurrection at this point so He simply extends an invitation for them to receive Him by faith, “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” (12:35-36a). The witness of Jesus (light) would not be on earth much longer, so He was calling them to believe now. After Jesus said these things, He departed and hid Himself from them (12:36b). John reveals the true condition of those who were listening saying, “although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him” (12:37). Of course their reaction was no surprise as the prophet, Isaiah, had foreseen their unbelief hundreds of years earlier, “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” [Isaiah 53:1] …He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them [Isaiah 6:10]” (12:38-40). Israel’s continual rejection of Jesus as the Messiah had caused them to enter into spiritual blindness and a hardening of their hearts toward the truth. They were without excuse. Even though many did not believe in Jesus, some did believe, “but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (12:42-43). Those in leadership whose faith was genuine evidenced weakness in their faith and refused to publicly for the truth. Although they had been saved from the penalty of sin, they feared man more than God.
John ends chapter 12 with Jesus bringing many truths to light: belief in Jesus is equal to belief in God (12:44-45), those who do not believe will be judged by the truth Jesus has spoken (12:46-48), and Jesus has only spoken with authority from God (12:49-50). A critical statement which has been repeated in John’s gospel is the fact that Jesus came to bring salvation, not judgment (John 3:17; 12:47). The offer of salvation from the power and penalty has been extended to all, but many have hardened their hearts toward the truth and bring judgment upon themselves. Jesus has already stated the condition for receiving eternal life, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). Have you believed in Jesus as the Savior?
Dear God, You have made Your witness clear through sending Your Son, Jesus Christ. Bring conviction upon the hearts of those who hear the truth that they might also believe and receive eternal life.
