John 12:46

Here Jesus proclaims yet again His mission for coming into the world - He came as the source of life and light and peace to a world that was filled with darkness and death and sin. No longer would we be forced to dwell in the darkness of unhappiness, death or ruin. Through belief in the Lord Jesus we are delivered from the futility of our ways and the dominion of sin to walk in the freedom and fullness of life in abundance. Isn’t that wonderful news? Jesus came as the Savior for all mankind – just as the sun shines and exists for everyone. We are told in the all-too familiar verse of John 3:16:

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

Those who are willing to believe in Him are delivered from spiritual death and darkness and enabled through the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in spiritual life and light. Why on earth would we want to remain in the dungeon shackled with unbelief – chained to sin and death?

“The quantity of precious truth taught and implied in this verse is very note-worthy. The world is in darkness. Christ is the only light. Faith is the only way to have interest in Christ. He that believeth no longer abides in darkness, but has spiritual light. He that does not believe remains and continues in a state of darkness, the prelude to hell.” J. C. Ryle

Jesus clearly states the following Truth:

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NIV)

7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:7-10 (NIV)

Christ has come for our benefit – offering us life which is not constricted but rather overflowing. He sees in us beauty and value and desires for our lives to be a reflection of His love. He sees what we were created to be. People who are loved unconditionally seem to have nothing to prove – serving and loving without hindrance. As God’s children we are dearly loved and that will reflect in our love for others. Jesus also came to set the captive free – proclaiming our freedom. He came to bind up our wounds and heal us, to restore our sight and proclaim the year of God’s favor. Certainly we were created for a far greater purpose than to simply die wallowing in our depravity. God has plans to prosper us and not harm us – plans which give us hope and a future. Why would we want to remain in darkness missing out on the very reason for which we were created?

Earlier John writes regarding Jesus:

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. John 1:4 (NIV)

Jesus came to lead people out of Satan’s kingdom of darkness into God’s wonderful kingdom of love and light. I am reminded of the lyrics to the first verse of the hymn “We’ve A Story to Tell to the Nations”:

“We've a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light. For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright; and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,

the kingdom of love and light. H. Ernest Nichol

Indeed, Jesus is the story of Truth and mercy – the story of peace and light. Satan on the other hand is the father of lies – he is the thief that takes life. He cares nothing for us – masquerading around as an angel of light to deceive, destroy and devour us. Paul tells us:

14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2 Cor 11:14-15 (NIV)

Peter also gives us the following description of our adversary:

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

“Only two things have ever changed the human soul: the fall and grace, the power of Satan and the power of God. And God is infinitely more powerful. Nothing is stronger than grace. Satan doesn’t have any. God is defined by it.” Larry Crabb