JANUARY 4, 2026 – CHILDREN OF LIGHT

READ: Jn. 12:20–36: … He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life … believe in the light, that you may become sons of light …

Jesus now speaks more clearly about the necessity of His coming death. The people focus blindly on His miracles instead of recognizing Him as the Christ of the LORD, who takes their sins upon Himself and fulfills God’s plan.

Meanwhile, Greeks arrive in Jerusalem who show interest in Him. These are Gentiles who had converted to the Jewish faith. Jesus sees this as a sign that He is entering the final stage of His humiliation.

In following that path He will be glorified. Because of the hardening of the Jews, the proclamation of salvation will eventually go out into the world and bear rich fruit. But first He must die the death of the cross, just as a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, then bears much fruit (v.24). Precisely through His death, He will save many from death.

That is the gospel of the cross. Faith in Him is necessary, and it must endure even when hatred from the unbelieving world threatens life itself (v.25). One must continue to serve, honor, and follow the Lord wherever He goes (Lk. 9:23–26).

In verse 27 the horror of His approaching suffering deeply troubles Jesus. Yet He rejects even the thought of praying to be spared from this hour: He has come for this very purpose. Only through suffering will He glorify God’s name (cf. Jn. 13:4).

When He says this, He hears His Father answer: “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again” (v.28). This confirms what Jesus Himself said. Everyone hears the sound, but only Jesus understands the meaning. From verse 31 onward He explains that His death is truly necessary for salvation.

I have come as the light of the world to deliver you. While I am still here: walk in the light—listen to Me. Receive Me to become My children: children of light.

What does it mean to hate our life in this world?
Sing: Ps. 145:5