John 12:34-36 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ stays for ever: and how say you, The Son of man must be lifted up?… I. MISUNDERSTANDINGS (ver. 34). They considered perhaps that Psalm 110:4; Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:13 referred to Christ. Their question would be, therefore, "If Thou art to die, how canst Thou be the Messiah? We know who the Son of Man in the Old Testament is; but who is this Son of Man?" Men have always misunderstood the Cross. It is foolishness to the Greek, etc. 1. Some now speak of the Cross as a means of appeasing the wrath of the Almighty. 2. Some as a transaction that will purchase souls. 3. Some as the procuring cause of God's love. 4. Whereas it is the effect, demonstration, channel of God's love for man. II. EXPLANATIONS. Christ does not explain the difficulty by logical disquisition, but by exhorting them to practice holiness (ver. 35). It is the pure heart, not the logical understanding, that solves the problems of Christianity. Christ urges the spirit of holiness on three considerations. 1. Their possession a special advantage. They had the light with them. From Christ's presence, words, deeds, holiness beamed brightly on them. They were moving in the rays of the highest moral excellence. 2. Their special advantage was only temporary — "Yet a little while." A few days more and their moral sun would be set. Man's opportunities for spiritual improvement are very transient. 3. The departure of their special advantage would expose them to danger — "He that walketh in darkness," etc. To walk on in moral darkness to the great eternity, how dismal and dangerous! 4. The right use of their advantage would fill them with light (ver. 36). Trust in Christ will fill the soul with Divine illumination. "The entrance of Thy Word giveth light." (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? |
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