Choosing the Light

KEY VERSE: “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: If any man serve me, him will my Father honor.” —John 12:26

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: John 12:20-36

THE APOSTLES were puzzled by the reasoning of Jesus. First he had informed them that he was going to be put to death. Then he told them that the hour was come that he should be glorified, and in our text he implies that to serve they must follow him. Their perplexity was expressed by Thomas a short time later when he asked, “Lord we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way?”—John 14:5.

Jesus, of course, was going into heaven, which would involve not only his death as a man, but also his resurrection and glorification as a divine being. This aspect of following Jesus was not comprehended until after the apostles were enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

When this later occurred, the answer to Thomas’ question became clear and they saw the way that was provided. Then they understood that both the death and resurrection of Jesus were fundamental to their hope of life in and through him. Paul wrote on this point, “If Christ be not raised your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”—I Cor. 15:17,18

In Ephesians 1:19, Paul speaks of the “mighty power” of the Heavenly Father which was used to raise Jesus from the dead, and to exalt him to his own right hand in the heavenlies. The mighty power of God had been employed along many lines previous to this. Under the direction of his infinite wisdom the entire universe had been brought into existence by his mighty power. Never before, however, had there been such a manifestation of divine power as was required to raise Jesus from the dead, give him the divine nature, and exalt him to God’s own right hand. This was the first time that any of God’s creatures had been raised to such a height of glory. No wonder the apostle, in writing about it, speaks of the mighty power of God which was then used.

But it has a far more important lesson for us than merely that we should be awe-inspired by the thought of such mighty power! Paul, in this connection, prayed that the eyes of our understanding be enlightened in order that we might understand and appreciate the superlative height of glory to which we are called, and to realize that the attainment of such a high position in the divine plan is entirely possible because of the fact that the mighty power of God which was used to raise Jesus from the dead is employed “to us-ward who believe.” Paul wanted us to realize that the same power which defeated the purpose of Jesus’ enemies in putting him to death will see us through to victory with him.

The resurrection of Jesus, then, is most significant to us, for it is a reminder that greater is he who is for us than all they who are against us—a wonderful assurance of victory, indeed! How much this God-given assurance should renew our courage to press on in the upward way which leads to glory, honor, and immortality! It is indeed a high station to which we are called, but. we can have the assurance of attaining the victory through the “exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward.”

“If ye then be risen with Christ”—this is one of the inspiring lessons of his resurrection to all who are endeavoring, by God’s grace, to be like him. Christ is risen indeed, but are we risen with Christ? This language does not mean that we have already participated in the “first resurrection,” but is expressive of our hope of sharing in his glory, a hope that inspires us to set our affections on things above, “where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” We walk in “newness of life”; that is, from the moment of our consecration we begin a new life, for we are New Creatures in Christ Jesus—old things have passed away, and all things have become new.—Rom. 6:4; II Cor 5:17

All our interests are to be centered above. Our treasure is in heaven, and if this is truly so, our hearts, our affections, will be there also. This means the mortifying of our flesh, being crucified with Christ. (Col. 3:5; Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20) And there is no other way in which we can be risen with Christ, for as Paul explains, it is only if we are dead with Christ that we may hope to live with him. (Rom. 6:8; II Tim. 2:11) It is essential that we do all in our power to bring our old nature into subjection and make it a servant of the new mind. (I Cor. 9:27; II Cor. 10:5) Only if we do this can it be said that, by faith, we are now risen with Christ.

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