Read John 12:20-33
“Purpose”
Julie Gibson
This passage comes on the heels of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. In verse 19 the Pharisees have just said to each other, “Look, the world has gone after him!”
And we read in verse 20 that the world is after Jesus—Greeks, to be exact. They have come to Jerusalem, and “wish to see Jesus.” It is this phrase, together with Jesus’ own words at the end of this passage—”And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” that give us a wider vision of Jesus’ purpose. Yes, he came to the Jews; but he also came to the world.
From the beginning God has wanted to be in relationship with all of us, and God chose the descendants of Abraham to be a light to the nations—to be the ones to demonstrate how wonderful it is to walk with God. Jesus is that light! If you read a bit further, in verse 35 Jesus tells the crowd, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not over take you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”
Jesus’ purpose was to be the light to the nations; our purpose is to be children of light. Jesus’ purpose was to draw all people to him; our purpose is to walk with God, and glow in the world.
Shine on!
