Thoughts on the Gospel of John (116) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

The people answered him, We have heard from the law that the Christ remains for ever; and how can you say, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?
John 12:34.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (116)
The verses 20-34 of our chapter shed light on various aspects of the Lord's crucifixion: it would bring forth much fruit (v. 24), but also cause unspeakable suffering under God's judgment (v. 27); God the Father would be glorified (v. 28); judgment would be pronounced on this world, and the power of the devil would be annihilated (v. 31); Christ would be "treated with contempt" (Mark 9:12) yet, as the Redeemer, draw people to Himself (v. 32).

The multitude was confused: they had been taught that the Messiah would come and remain with them. They were acquainted with the title "Son of man" from the Old Testament (Psalm 8:5), of whom Daniel wrote that He would be given "dominion and glory and a kingdom and all peoples and nations and languages should serve him" (Daniel 7:13.14). But who was the Son of man who would be crucified?

They overlooked that He had to be "made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death" (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:9). Other passages in the prophets indicating the death of the Messiah were misunderstood, though Daniel wrote that Messiah would be "cut off, and shall have nothing" (ch. 9:26).

Even today people have heard or read about Jesus and form their own opinion of Him: a miracle worker, the founder of a religion, a martyr. Yet who He truly is, and what His death means for them remains unknown, if they are not prepared to believe in Him.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 8:1-18 · 2 Timothy 4:9-22