John the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die”, and in chapter twelve and verse thirty-four of his book John shared how the people said, “we have heard out of the law that Christ abides for ever” where we read:
The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides for ever:
and how say you, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
The verse reads, “The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abides for ever:” John began with the words, “the people answered him” which means “the people both male and female responded and began to speak to Jesus”, “we have heard” or “we, the people, have been endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceive, understand, notice and discern” “out of the law” which means “from the rule, precept and injunction that produces a state approved of God” “that Christ abides for ever” or “that the anointed One, Messiah and Son of God remains and endures continually”. John shared how the “people” who heard Jesus speak referred to their understanding of how God's “Messiah” would remain perpetually.
The verse continues, “and how say you, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?” John added the words, “and how say you” which means “and for what reason and cause do you, Jesus, utter, declare and proclaim”, “the Son of man” or “the Messiah and Christ of God” “must be lifted up” which means “needs to be exalted, raised and elevated”? “who is this Son of man” or “what person is the Messiah and Christ of God”? John shared how the people wanted to know why Jesus said the Messiah should be “elevated and raised”, and they desired to know who this “Messiah and Christ” was among them.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how the people responded to Jesus' words about being “lifted up” and “drawing all men” unto Himself. Their understanding of the scriptures was that when the “Christ” appeared, He would always be with them. Jesus was indicating this would not be the case, and because they were without understanding, they wanted to know who the “Son of man” or “Messiah” was. God had a plan of salvation for mankind through His Son Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of mankind, He provided a way for people to be forgiven of their sins and to have a personal relationship with God. Those who surrender their lives to Jesus acknowledge He is God's Son and Christ who receives every person who yields their life to Him.
Next time John shares how Jesus says, “yet a little while is the light with you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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