Jesus is Essential
John 12:31–36: Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die. The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
Nearly forty years ago I sat next to a young man in a meeting. I was in college at the time. The young man sitting next to me was eighteen years old. As the meeting progressed I felt that I needed to ask him if he would like to respond to the message. I finally asked him what he thought about what he was hearing. He replied that he did not understand what I meant. I hesitantly said, “Well, do you know Jesus?” He said, “I don’t know if I do or not.” That night he asked Christ into his life, and he went on to become a substantial, vibrant Christian. He married, established himself in Mexico City with a business, and became wealthy. A few years later he was killed in an automobile crash in Mexico City. That man had a good life, but he has a better life today—all because he responded to Jesus. Have you? 1
Walking with Jesus
Are you investing His life into the lives of others, with frequency and consistency?
Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:12
To lift up Jesus is to behold His greatness, and not our own.
Praying
Lord, please keep teaching me how to make Your will my will.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 11-21) (electronic ed., Vol. 39). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
