Who is this ‘Son of Man’?

READ: 2 Kings 9, 10; Proverbs 9; John 12: 27-50

SCRIPTURE: John 12: 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

OBSERVATION: Jews were eagerly waiting for the arrival of the Messiah. However, they were not able to recognize Jesus as the god-sent messiah. They had some expectations regarding the promised Messiah. In John 12, when Jesus was speaking about his death, they were not able to understand it. For they believed that the Messiah would be with them forever. They might have thought about the messianic prophecies foretold in the scriptures (Ps. 89:35-37, 110:4; Is.9:7). So they questioned Jesus' claim of “Son of Man.” It is interesting to see that in the entire Gospel, this is the only place where others use the title “Son of Man.”  Even here Jesus is referred. Like these Jews, when people hear about Jesus, they try to put him into their expectations. When they do not see any connection between their expectations and reality, then they start to ask questions and raise doubts. 

However, Jesus knew the people who rejected him as well as those who followed him secretly. He told them the very purpose of his incarnation; he is the light to the world. John 12:46 alludes to Jesus’ pre-existence as well as his desire for those who believe in him. At the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, In his introduction, John says that Jesus was “the light of all mankind” (Jn.1:4-5). Here, he fittingly concludes the narration of Jesus’ public ministry with the same theme, light. Notice: Jesus wants all who believe in him to live in his light, not in darkness. As we read in verse 47, Jesus “did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” However, like the Jews of Jesus’ time, we see that many people do not believe in Jesus and move more and more into their darkness. Jesus’ invitation to come to the light is open to all. “Anyone” can come to him. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Mt. 18:11; Lk.19:10). We can choose either light or darkness. It is our choice that determines the way of our life. Even today, Jesus asks the same question that he asked to the born-blind who received his sight, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (Jn.9:35).

APPLICATION: Jesus wants me to live in his light. I believe him as my Lord and Savior who died on the cross for my sins and raised from the dead. He is the Messiah. His words are true and lead to eternal life. He is able to save me completely because he always lives to intercede for me (Heb.7:25). 

PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for your love that saves me from the darkness. Lord, help me to live in your light in all of my life. Please, help me to overcome all my doubts and unbelief. “Lord, I believe.” Amen.

 - Arputharaj Samuel +91 9538328573

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