Walk While You Have The Light
Scripture Passage: John 12:31-36 (NASB)
31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” 33 But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. 34 The crowd then answered Him, “We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”
These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.
SUMMARY
Jesus tells the crowd how the enemy will be cast out as the world receives judgment. He tells them that He will draw all those who believe to Himself when He is lifted up from the earth. He says this to indicate His crucifixion and resurrection. The crowd is confused and answers that the Christ they were expecting was to remain with them forever; not be lifted up. Then Jesus refers to Himself as the Light and urges the crowd to walk while the Light is still with them.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
The Jews didn't recognize Jesus as their Savior because He wasn't exactly what they thought He'd be. To them, Christ was supposed to be among them forever and establish His eternal kingdom here on earth once He'd arrived. They wanted a leader to save them from suffering; not die and save them from their sin. Jesus in His own way tells them that He will be leaving soon and that they must walk in the Light while they still can.
In the text, Jesus is the Light and urges people to follow Him before He is crucified. What does this mean for us in present times? This means we must continue to seek Jesus and obey His word even though He's not physically here. It doesn't say "sit in the Light" but "walk while you have the Light". Which means we need to be active in pursuing God and consuming His word. It is a good thing to walk with Jesus, because He is truth, He is good, He is peace, He is our blessing, and so much more.
APPLICATION
These days, I have not been getting up and walking with Jesus. Like many others, I've been feeling fearful, complacent, irritable, and discouraged. During these dark times, I want to remind myself to hold onto Jesus and not let the world get to me. Yes, He was lifted up and is no longer physically here, but He is still present and He is still working in us. I need to press in and continue to seek Jesus even when I can't see Him. I need to be more disciplined to continuously get up and walk with Jesus and obey His word so that I'm rooted whenever darkness comes. Today, I will repent and start waking up earlier to spend more time with God instead of cutting corners in the morning.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for being such a bright Light in our lives and for showing us the way in these uncertain times. Lord, help me to overcome the world and rise above it with You. Help me to be a light for others even when I'm feeling the opposite of gracious. Lord, I don't want to be stuck in this darkness anymore. Show me Your way as I continue to seek You. Meet with me, give me peace, give me patience, give me a burning desire to keep going towards You.
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