And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”—John 12:44–50

Intro

Remember the purpose of John:

But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.—John 20:31

So all these signs and the recording of them—these powerful images—are for the purpose of believing in Jesus. 

Jesus has done miraculous signs: water to wine (chpater 2), healed the official's son (chapter 4), healing of the invalid at Bethesda (chapter 5), feeding of the 5000 (chapter 6), healing of the blind man (chpater 9) 

Most recently, Jesus has resurrected a dead man (chapter 11). 

When we looked at John 6, we saw the image of food and drink. We cannot live physically without food. Jesus is the bread of life. He gives us his life when be believe in him. When we "eat his flesh and drink his blood," we have life. We eat and drink by believing in him.

Chapter 12 reintroduces the theme of "light." This is all over John's writings. 

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.—John 1:4–8

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.—John 3:18–21

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.—2 Corinthians 4:6

• Darkness conceals; light reveals
• Darkness deceives you; light shows you the truth

Now in John 12 “light” is a dominant theme. 

Context: We are on the heels of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The rumor of this has spread like wildfire. 

Three places in John 12 where we see the darkness ...

1) vv. 1–8

The week of the Passover. People are streaming towards Jerusalem. Jesus, Martha, Mary and the disciples are there with Lazarus celebrating together. 

Mary anoints Jesus with a very expensive perfume. 

Judas objects. He seeks to shame her. 

This is a despicable act on two levels. First, he is shaming a woman for worshiping the Son of God. He should have followed her example. Second, his shaming is based on lie. He doesn’t care about the poor. He cares about himself. He is a cruel liar and thief. 

2) vv. 9–11

When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.—John 12:9–11

In chapter 11 Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Because of this miracle, many believe in Jesus. Because of the threat of losing their following, the chief priests and pharisees plan to kill Jesus. Now we see the crowds coming to see Jesus and Lazarus. The chief priests’ and Pharisees' response should have been not to kill Jesus, but to join Lazarus in worshiping Jesus. However, because of the darkness of their hearts, they conclude they need to kill Lazarus also!

Note: There is much to say of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It so happens that we celebrate Palm Sunday next week. I will leave it to Pastor Jason to help us see the significance with that. I will simply note that Jesus’ entry has all the elements of the demonstration of the coming Messiah. He is provoking the Jews and setting the time of his death. Showing his power and Lordship and eternal love of his people. “No one takes my life but I lay it down."

3)  vv. 42–43

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.—John 12:42–43

A strange and possibly most sinister darkness of all. They "believe" in him and yet do not confess it. They LOVE  the "glory" that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. This illustrates the absolute nature of spiritual darkness. That one would trade the most valuable for the temporary. The fickel approval of man is breathtaking. Imagine trading the crown jewels of England for a candy ring pop. 

Main Point

The central culminating point of this whole passage is found in verse 36. Very plainly Jesus is calling us to believe in him. The promise is of immeasurable value. To become a "son of light." The alternative is eternal, absolute darkness. 

While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.—John 12:36

What is belief?

We see something strange:

John clearly uses belief (in Jesus) in two ways in this passage.

• Those who believe and yet are still in darkness (sons of darkness, sons of the devil)
• Those who believe and are set free from darkness to become sons of light

Many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it.—John 12:42

There is a clue to understanding this distinction in verse 42. Those that “believed” but did not confess their belief. 

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.—Romans 10:9

When people "confesses" that they believe in Jesus (particularly in a hostile environment), they are giving evidence that they trust him. It is not the confession that saves but the confession is evidence that one is saved ...

“Belief” that saves internally is evidence by observable external action.

Saving belief changes everything…

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.—John 12:25–26 

We are saved by grace through faith alone but faith that saves is never alone. 

Illustration

Charles Blondin (tightrope walker)

Sermon Discussion Questions

• Where do you see darkness today? Does it seem to you that darkness is increasing or decreasing?
• In what areas are you personally tempted to embrace darkness over the light (Jesus)? How do you fight for faith in these times?
• How do you explain the position of those who believed in Jesus, but were not saved in John 12:42–43?
• What is the relationship between faith and the evidence of faith?