But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (NIV) John 12:32
TUESDAY
Jesus’ authority is challenged and questioned by the religious leaders, only to have His answers silence His accusers. The crowds reaction: they are amazed with His teaching, in awe of His answers, they want to crown Him their King.
Jesus once again refers to His death. . .”The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”. . .”Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”. . . “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. (John 12:23-24; 27-28; 31-33)
But, even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in the people’s presence and they had heard His teaching, they still would not believe in him. Yet many leaders believed in Him. But, they feared that the Pharisees would put them out of the synagogue if they professed their faith in Jesus. Many of them loved the praise from men more than praise from God. In response to their loyalties to men, Jesus said: “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:25-26)
Meanwhile, the religious leaders are plotting to execute Jesus, but first they need a witness. Before a Roman court would hear a case, there had to be an official indictment lodged against Jesus. This indictment had to be signed by a witness who agreed to appear in court to give testimony for the prosecution against the charge. Judas, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples (followers), goes to the religious leaders and offers to lead them to Jesus. In return, he receives 30 pieces of silver, the sum paid for a slave. Judas agrees to offer himself as a witness against Jesus on a yet undetermined charge. . .Judas is the witness the religious leaders need.
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
