MPC
26th March 2017.March 26 - John 12 - "Jesus' Glorification"
MPC
26th March 2017.
Dan Wilton
What's your moment of glory?
If there was to be some great moment, or great achievement, some great act that somehow crystallises everything that you wanted anyone else to know about you; everything you've sought to achieve - what would it be?
Maybe there's a photo hanging on the wall at home? Or maybe there's a medal for some impressive sporting achievement. Or a set of letters after your name, or even a set of letters before your name?
Maybe it's the prominent position of your house; or your picture perfect family.
What's your moment of glory?
When I was thinking about it this week - I could only really think of the time when I scored a try in the final minutes of a touch footy game. We had 5 minutes to go; I received the ball and dived over the try line to win us the game. It was glorious!
What about Jesus?
If Jesus was to have a trophy cabinet, what would be at the front and centre?
What's Jesus' moment of glory?
We come today to John 12. It's the beginning of Jesus' final week on earth; the final countdown to his moment of glory.
Over the last couple of weeks we've seen Jesus do some pretty amazing stuff - he's healed a paralytic man; given sight to a man blind from birth; he's even raised a man to life. And he's made some bold claims that's forced people to take notice.
And so by this stage his celebrity status is building. Jesus is the man to know - there are rumours starting to circulate about who this man could be.
If there were a TIME magazine, Jesus' face would be on the front cover; if there were talk show hosts around, they would have been contacting Jesus' PR staff to organise an interview. His popularity is at an all-time high!
And that popularity comes to a head as Jesus enters Jerusalem here in chapter 12.
See, this was the Passover. And every Jew was expected to descend on Jerusalem to celebrate a great feast that looked back to how God had saved his people throughout history.
As you can imagine it's packed - like South Bank on New Year's Eve. And when the crowd hear Jesus is in town - hysteria hits. Everyone wants to get a glimpse - they're thinking maybe he'll pose for a selfie; or sign my papyrus - maybe they can see this Jesus.
As the anticipation builds, the crowd's response to Jesus' entry speaks volumes about WHO THEY THINK HE IS.
Jesus enters Jerusalem, and he's met by some die-hard fans.
Have a look at verse 12: The next day the crowd hear that Jesus is coming into Jerusalem, so they run out with palm branches and started shouting some lines from Psalm 118 - Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel!
This is a big a big deal! - it's not every day the Jews would welcome a King.
Now I can't say that I've been on a blind date - maybe if you have you can tell me if I'm right or not - but I'm pretty sure one of the things you want to get very right, is to make sure that you've given enough information to describe your appearance - so they'll recognise you as soon as they see you.
You know, information like - I'm 6-foot tall; dark-haired, and handsome - so that when finally that opportunity comes to meet - you'll recognise each other.
The last thing you'd want is to miss each other.
And in a similar way, God made sure that his people would know just what the Messiah, God's King would be like - how he would come; what he'd look like; how he'd act.
God had been telling his people all the way through the Old Testament.
And as Jesus enters Jerusalem - he's fulfilling one of those clues found in the Old Testament. Have a look at verse 15:
Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, AS IT IS WRITTEN: "Do not be afraid, Daughter of Zion; see YOUR KING IS COMING, seated on a DONKEY'S COLT."
It's pretty clear who Jesus is - he's THE KING Israel had been waiting for. It's something the crowd gets very right.
But on a complete twist on their expectations - instead of Jesus ripping off his cloak and in some Rambo meets Machine Gun Preacher sort of way, liberating the Jews from the Romans with military power; Jesus comes in humility - riding on a donkey.
Jesus comes as the reigning King, but his kingship is very different from what the crowd was expecting.
It's a theme that we've seen all the way through John - people constantly misjudging Jesus; placing expectations on who they think Jesus SHOULD BE, instead of WHO JESUS SAID HE WAS.
And two thousand years later, I think we're in danger of doing the exact same thing. Placing EXPECTATIONS and PRESCRIPTIONS on Jesus that aren't about who he is, but more about who WE WANT HIM TO BE FOR US.
But Jesus blows out our expectations of who he is.
The crowd was hoping for son military King, who'd bring their dignity and freedom back. But instead Jesus comes in humility. And he offers something far better than military victory - he offers himself!
So the King arrives! - Jesus is about to be enthroned; it's his moment of glory!
This moment; this HOUR has been anticipated all the way through John. This is what Jesus has been building towards - what we've been waiting for.
All the way back in John 2 - at the miracle when Jesus turns water into wine, Jesus turns to his mum and says don't bother me, my hour has not yet come.
In chapter 7, there are some Pharisees, and it says they could not arrest Jesus, because his hour had not yet come.
Chapter 8 - Jesus is teaching in the temple - and they still couldn't arrest him, because his hour had not yet come
But here in chapter 12 Jesus finally says the HOUR HAS COME - Have a look at verse 23 - Jesus says: the HOUR has come for the son of Man to be glorified.
This is Jesus' moment!
Which makes what he says next very strange.
Have a look at what he says in verse 24:
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.
And then down in verse 27:
Now my soul it troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save from this hour?
This is his moment of glory, so why's he talking about death? Why is he troubled? And why does he need saving from it?
Well have a look down at verse 33:
He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
What is Jesus' hour? What is Jesus defining moment of glory?
His death on a cross.
Where do you see Jesus enthroned as King? As he's nailed to a cross, with a crown on thorns placed on his head.
Where do you see his glory? As his bloody body hangs on a cross, giving his life for the world.
Jesus' defining moment of GLORY was his DEATH ON A CROSS!
But how's that glorious? How's death ever glorious?
It's glorious for three reasons.
Firstly it brings life!
Read again with me from verse 24:
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Not many of us are farmers, but I don't think the point is lost on us. It's impossible for this to become this without sacrificing the apple - taking the seed and burying it in the ground.
Fruit is only possible through death.
The fruit that Jesus is talking about is the fruit of life with God; complete access to God.
Life with God is only possible through Jesus' death.
But of course the question ought to be why Jesus' death was so significant.
In the ancient world there were thousands of people who were crucified - so what makes Jesus death far more important and glorious then every other death? It's not the how but the why!
Other's died because they were guilty - there is no glory in dying for something that you are guilty for. Jesus died even though he was innocent.
Others died because they were forced to. But Jesus died willingly because he chose to.
Others died for their own sin; for their own crime. Jesus died for the sins and crimes of others.
You see the difference!
Jesus hangs on a cross - not because he had to, but because he chose to; not for himself, but in the place of others; In the place of you and me.
It shows us unbelievable generosity - Does it not! He didn't give us all his money; he didn't give us all his possessions - he gave us all his life.
And it tells us about unconditional and outrageous love! He died because he loves us!
What is so glorious about the cross? - it's not how Jesus died, it's the motive and the meaning for why he died.
Is that not GLORIOUS!?!
Jesus is the one seed - the seed sacrificed - so that many might live; so you might live.
Secondly, Jesus' death is glorious because it brings judgment.
Jump down to verse 31 again:
Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
At the cross, God judges the sin of the world - man's rebellion against him - yours, mine, every ones that has sinned.
God says death is the penalty for sin - but at the cross, Jesus takes that penalty and pays for it in full.
The judgement we deserved is dealt with, while the prince of this world is judged - end of verse 31.
The prince of this world is another way of speaking about Satan. And at the cross he's defeated.
You know the great power of Satan was that he held death over the head of everyone - you sin, you die; an easy equation. That's his job - to encourage us to sin that we would die.
But at the cross, Jesus forgives your sin and takes away your guilt. He takes away Satan's ammunition; he take's away any possibility of Satan to accuse you - he's like an archer with no arrows.
At the cross Jesus defeats the prince of this world and casts him out.
Isn't that GLORIOUS!?!
And lastly because at the cross, Jesus gathers all people to himself. Have a look at verse 32:
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
Remember what sparked the hour arriving?
The Greeks turned up! They come to Jesus and want to talk to him, and it's at that moment that Jesus says - my hour has arrived.
See before Jesus - the Greeks couldn't worship God. But after the cross, Jesus offers a way for all people from all nations to come and have access to God.
The hour is like the sun setting on one day and rising on another. The sun is setting on Israel. See what Jesus says in verse 35: Then Jesus told them, "you're going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light before darkness overtakes you."
The sun is setting. If you've been here over the last couple of weeks, we've seen Jesus continually testify, perform signs in Israel - but the sun is setting - Israel is about to kill their king.
The sun will set, but at the same time a new day will dawn - because through his death it will be possible for all nations to come in - for people like you and I.
In his death all people can find God; no matter your background.
Jesus' glory might be unexpected! But what the cross accomplishes is undeniably glorious!
And it's not a glory he keeps to himself. It's a moment of glory he offers all of us to share in.
But Jesus asks for something in return - have a look with me at verses 25 and 26:
Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Jesus sacrifices his life for the sake of others. And calls his followers to do the same.
Jesus turns around and asks us where our commitment is? Jesus is set and is committed to the cross - committed that we might have life; and he asks in return what about you - where's your heart set? Where's your commitment?
He says if you love this life, you'll lose it; but if you hate this life, you'll keep it for eternity.
I love sport! I love playing it; I love watching it - any sport. But give me choice between footy and soccer, I'll choose footy every time hands down! I'm always going to prioritise footy.
And it's the same with what Jesus is saying.
When Jesus says: 'hate your life' - he means it in comparison to how much you love him. That everything else becomes insignificant, compared to him. That you'll choose Jesus every time, hands down!
He's not saying you gotta hate every part of your life and reject anything that's enjoyable.
Instead it's saying 'I will place God and his desires for my life before my own desires for this world.'
I love so much in this world!
I love the white sand and surf of our beaches; I love the thrill of watching sporting events; I love spending time with my wife; I love a good wine with a juicy medium-rare steak.
For us in Brisbane there's so much to love! Which makes Jesus' words so much harder to hear.
Jesus is challenging me, challenging you to look past this world; past the stuff in this world - the house; the career; the right school for the kids to get into; the sporting achievements - and find him supremely better.
I need to see that I don't need them in my life to fulfil me; I don't need them in my life to secure my identity.
Because my life ultimately doesn't consist in the abundance of possessions; The abundant life consists of being Jesus' possession.
And so Jesus is calling me and he's calling you this morning to himself. Calling us to find him more precious then life itself - So precious that we're willing to let go of this world to follow him.
What is it in your life that keeps you from treasuring Jesus? What is it that you're unwilling to give up? What is it that gets in the way of surrendering to him?
I know I have a bunch of stuff in my life that I struggle to give up.
Jesus may not be what you expected, but he's better than you ever dreamed.
He's the one seed that died - the selfless sacrifice - so that you might have life.
Can I ask you this morning: Have you placed your trust in Jesus - have you acknowledged who Jesus is and what he came to do? Have you seen that Jesus' death brings life? All the way through this series we've seen Jesus make some massive claims about himself - He's the only one who can give true and lasting satisfaction and hope; he's the only one who can give life; he's the only one who can make us right with God; because Jesus is God!
They're massive claims and they're worth taking the time to think through; to investigate more fully. If you've been struck by some of the things Jesus has said, can I encourage you to keep reading through this biography of Jesus and consider for yourself whether you think Jesus is someone worth following.
And for those who have already chosen to follow Jesus, will you take Jesus's challenge this morning seriously?
Are you willing to give up your own accomplishments - those things that you place your identity in - for something far more glorious?