John 12:31-35 (NRSV)
Read John 12:31-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. Verse 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." Verse 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. Verse 34The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Verse 35Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going.
Devotion
Through the cross and resurrection Jesus helps us to understand and experience the fullness of life as lived in the light which he shared through himself. A little later in John (15:11) we hear some words that closely parallel today’s reading: "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." He is speaking about the measure of the life directions which we choose: either the success of failure or the failure of success.
As we move closer to his cross, whether as disciples or somewhat interested bystanders, Jesus confronts us in the baldest of terms, using words like "love" and "hate" (15:17-27) to startle us into thinking about how we live.
Prayer
As we consider the cross and the resurrection, help us ponder whether we are desperately hanging on to our lives or passionately giving them away. Amen.