Assurance : The acknowledgment or confirmation of anticipated items or events
The 12 chapter of John has several recurring themes: the theme of light and the theme of glory. In this chapter, this is the week before the crucifixion. This is the last week of Jesus’ life. These are the last actions of Christ earthly ministry before the resurrection.
In the beginning of the chapter John recounts the gathering at the house of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. At this particular gathering we given a setting tasty is very familiar throughout Christian theology and tradition: The preparation of Jesus’ death. Mary uses the perfume that is equal to a year’s salary. Mary uses her hair to wipe the Jesus’s feet. She is using all of her being to glorify and bring light to the dark times coming ahead. This is a type of light and glory Mary is preparing Jesus body for his ultimate sacrifice and the glorification of his time earth.
While at Lazarus’ house, people are coming to see and experience the man that has been brought back to life. This was one of the most profound miracles that Christ had performed. Lazarus was not only dead, but he had been in the tomb for several days. We have gotten accustomed to going to funerals and having the benefits of modern medicine to help assuage the true morbidity of death , but this was not the custom in the times of Jesus. In the manner of hours the body begins to decompose and the natural process starts. By the time Jesus got to the town of Lazarus, he was in full decomposition. But now several weeks to months later, Jesus is eating with Lazarus and people want to come and see the miracle. This is shows not only show that Jesus is capable of miracles, but he is Lord over life and death of others and God will do the same for him. This this act is glorifying God‘s domain over life and death.
Each piece of the gospel is there for an intentional purpose, here John mentions the group of Greeks. This is very poignant in this section because the Greeks deal with life, death, and gods in different ways. He uses examples of the wheat and how to death of the wheat to springing back to life for new plant to the Greeks. He also uses the other metaphors here with the Greeks of light and glorification.
He uses light and glory several times in this chapter. He shows how light overcomes darkness how he is the light that overcomes the darkness of the enemy. He shows how the anticipation of his death and resurrection would normally receive as the final blow but he uses it as a catalyst to show the light and the glory of God.
One of the most profound portions in this entire chapter is the force of God. I’ve read this chapter many times in my lifetime but the most our inspiring section is when God the father acknowledges and glorifies the person of Christ in actual audible and meaningful terms. God completes his qualification and assures us that Christ is the one who is glorifying God and fulfilling the Scriptures.
John 12: 27- 30
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.
There are not many times in the Old Testament or in the New testament in which God’s true voice is heard. In this verse God‘s force is not only audible but it is heard by the entire multitude. This gives us the assurance that God‘s plan and words are true. Many during this time in Christ life, many did not believe that God‘s word and actions were true. Many today do not believe that God‘s words and actions are true. But this brief, yet powerful moment gives us assurance, that undeniable realization that all things are working in God‘s favor.
I know that in today’s society it is hard to grasp that God plan is still valid. A year ago so many things in my life changed. My family members were passing away at young ages. My son was diagnosed with different things. And close friends we’re passing away day by day. In the current situation there are thousands of people passing away daily. In these times it can seem as if we are in a mess of darkness. But we have to understand that God‘s light and glory will be shown and glorified, if we believe in Him.
May God reveal Himself to us as he did to the multitude and give us Assurance: Allow us to hear him in thunder of the storm or in the whisper on a breeze.