Written by Marty Neal, junior MDiv student, and brought to you by the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

John 12: 27-36

27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that 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 standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”

After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

Devotional

In my youth I played club rugby in Columbus, Ga., and another member of the club, Dave, used to shout “Learn it, live it, love it.” The idea behind the saying was that rugby was more than a game; it was an attitude and a way of living life.

In today’s Gospel reading from John, Jesus says, “Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of the light.” The disciples still did not fully comprehend the nature of Jesus’ death or his role in God’s salvific plan. This is demonstrated in their denial and hiding after Jesus’ death. After Jesus appeared to them and provided the gift of the Holy Spirit, their trust blossomed and they became children of the light. 

As Easter approaches, I invite others to reaffirm our trust in Jesus and seek renewed growth in the Spirit that others will be able to see and know the light of Jesus Christ working through our lives. “Learn it, live it, love it.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as Jesus fulfilled your will on the cross, help us to do your holy will. Give us the strength to show your life and share your story in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 

Written by Marty Neal, junior MDiv student, and brought to you by the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

John 12: 27-36

27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that 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 standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”

After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

Devotional

In my youth I played club rugby in Columbus, Ga., and another member of the club, Dave, used to shout “Learn it, live it, love it.” The idea behind the saying was that rugby was more than a game; it was an attitude and a way of living life.

In today’s Gospel reading from John, Jesus says, “Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of the light.” The disciples still did not fully comprehend the nature of Jesus’ death or his role in God’s salvific plan. This is demonstrated in their denial and hiding after Jesus’ death. After Jesus appeared to them and provided the gift of the Holy Spirit, their trust blossomed and they became children of the light. 

As Easter approaches, I invite others to reaffirm our trust in Jesus and seek renewed growth in the Spirit that others will be able to see and know the light of Jesus Christ working through our lives. “Learn it, live it, love it.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as Jesus fulfilled your will on the cross, help us to do your holy will. Give us the strength to show your life and share your story in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.