The Gospel of John. Preparation For The Coming Hour ~ Part 3 John 12:20-36

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1 The Gospel of John Preparation For The Coming Hour ~ Part 3 John 12:20-36 T ODAY THE CROSS HAS BECOME A PIECE OF COSTUME JEWELRY. It is been sanitized, hanging in churches pristine and clean. Now I m not suggesting we rough it up because, for us, the empty Cross is the symbol of our salvation. But if we are going to talk about the crucifixion in context we must remember how crosses were perceived in Jesus day. The Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words, states Crucifixion was a widespread form of execution and was used in most places in the Roman Empire, including India, North Africa, and Germany. Between 4 B.C. and A.D. 70, the number of people crucified at one time sometimes reached into the thousands. Three types of crosses seem to have been used: a cross with the crossbar below the head of the upright bar (Latin cross); a T-shaped cross (St. Anthony s cross); and an X-shaped cross (St. Andrew s cross). At Jesus crucifixion, Matthew records that the inscription, This is Jesus the King of the Jews, was placed over Jesus head (Matt. 27:37). This indicates that for Jesus crucifixion a Latin cross was used, as artists have traditionally depicted. In crucifixions, the victim was most likely affixed to the cross while it was still lying flat on the ground. Then the cross was raised into position and dropped into a hole. The hands were either nailed or bound to the cross. It is uncertain whether the feet were nailed with one or two nails. The weight of the body was supported by a piece of wood at the feet and possibly by another that was like a spike between the legs. If the executioners wished a particularly slow, agonizing death, they might drive blocks or pins into the stake for a seat or a step to support the feet. Death came about through loss of blood circulation followed by coronary collapse. The process could take days. Often, the victim s legs would be broken below the knees with a club, causing massive shock and eliminating any further possibility of easing the pressure on the bound or spiked wrists. After death, the body was usually left on the cross to rot, but in some instances was given to relatives or friends for burial. 1 VII The Christ Revealed to Israel Chapter 2:1-12:50 U. The Countdown To Passover Chapter 12: Day 5 Verses a. Christ s Entry Verses b. Christ s Hour Verses c. Christ s Rejection Verses Introduction: Last week we saw Jesus enter Jerusalem at the beginning of His last week and last Passover. We saw that He was acclaimed by, what seemed like, most of those in the city. Remember that, because it was Passover, the crowds may have numbered upward of 2 million. It appeared that the Messiah had arrived in preparation of His being proclaimed king. He would finally free Judah from the tyranny of Rome. Of course everyone wasn t ecstatic about the turn of events. The adulation of the crowds led the powers that be to speculate that they had already lost to Jesus. But that didn t prevent 1 Carpenter, Eugene E. and Philip W. Comfort, Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words,: Broadman and Holman

2 their planning to have Him killed and along with Him, Lazarus. There is no explanation of how they intended to go about these deaths, but finally they decided to go with the system, actually to abuse it, to their own ends. And the system means Rome. b. Christ s Hour: But it wasn't just the Jews who were responding to Jesus. John identifies another group. And this one was made up of individuals who were both intrigued by and drawn to Jesus. He describes these men as Greeks. But they may or may not have been actual Greeks because in Jesus day the term was synonymous with Gentile. These men would have been identified as God-fearers. This means they weren t necessarily Jewish proselytes. They would have been people attracted to Judaism by its monotheism and morality but repelled by its nationalism and requirements such as circumcision. They worshiped in the synagogues but did not become proselytes 2 And just as these men had been attracted to Judaism they were attracted to the teachings of Jesus. Accordingly they approached Philip and asked him to obtain an audience with Jesus. Why Philip? Well John makes a point, parenthetically, of letting us know Philip was from Bethsaida in Galilee. Therefore his birthplace would seem to be a factor. Remember the Jews from Galilee where easier going than those from the areas around Jerusalem. Also his name was of Greek derivation. So he may have simply seemed more approachable. Finally, these men where restricted to the Court of the Gentiles so they may have needed someone to connect them up with Jesus. So Philip gets Andrew, who knows why, and arranges for these Gentiles to meet Jesus. He speaks prophetically, explaining the need for His death. In providing this information, even if in a somewhat obscure way, God makes it clear that while He has a unique relationship to Israel He has a place for Gentiles as well. Jesus is also showing that, bad as what was coming might be, when He looked towards the cross His perspective was significantly different than that of the general population. While He looked towards the cross, not ignoring the implication of His suffering, He looked beyond it to the promise of salvation for His creations. I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again (John 10:15 17 ESV). What was Jesus response to these Gentiles? Keep in mind, they didn t understand the implications of all He had to say. He said it was time for Him to be glorified. This was an interesting choice of words considering that His glorification was to come as a result of His suffering for our sin, His experiencing the God s wrath in our place. So for some the cross represented a place of denigration and humiliation. But for Jesus it brought Him glorification. Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you his appearance was so marred, beyond 2 Walton, John H. ed., Archaeological Study Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, ) 288 (

3 human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind so shall he sprinkle many nations (Isaiah 52:13 15 ESV). Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2 ESV) Vs : Jesus uses the illustration of grain to show how His death was necessary if people were to be saved. It is through sacrifice that an individual can be a blessing to others. And Jesus death would be the ultimate sacrifice which would lead to the opportunity for all people to be restored to our intended relationship with God. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:10 12 ESV). So for Jesus the cross represented something totally different than the perspective of those around Him. For those under the thumb of Rome is was a symbol of oppression and slavery. For Jesus and for those who have accepted Him it is a symbol of freedom from slavery and oppression, slavery to sin and oppression that goes with slavery to evil. Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:16 18 ESV). Jesus even expands on the idea that His sacrifice not only saves but it becomes an example for His followers who are to also live sacrificially. I would assume that He is using this opportunity to talk not just to these Gentiles but to His disciples as well. He is presenting what will be a basic tenant of the Christian life, sacrificial service motived by a desire to please Christ and carried out humbly. And Jesus serves as our example in doing so as He prepares to go to the Cross. In obedience He is glorified and in obedience we are honored. Vs. 27: But Jesus serves as an example in another way. Yes, He willing is to go to the cross. But He also demonstrates that it is reasonable to struggle with God s call. He doesn t demand we like where God has us. He is greatly troubled by what He is facing. If there was anyway He could have saved us without going to the Cross He would have found it. Troubled here is defined: ) 289 (

4 with grief, etc., affect with grief, anxiety, etc. 3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch. And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. (Isaiah 53:3; Mark 14:33 36 ESV). Parenthetically, this is a statement to the lost. If other religious or even moral behavior is enough to get God to say You re okay. Come on in!, do you really think He d have gone through incarnation and crucifixion? One could say Jesus was anxious, agitated, even according to the Greek, fearful, terrified, but no matter how bad it would get, the whole purpose of the incarnation was to finally go to the Cross. And it is through this act of obedience that God is glorified. Because it is in the act that God provides the way by which His entire creation will be restored to the perfection He intended for it. And to reinforce this truth, the Father Himself speaks out of heaven saying that through this work His name will, as it was in the past, be glorified. This is the third time God has spoken directly from heaven. First at Jesus baptism and then on the Mount of Transfiguration. Do you think that maybe this time He was doing so as an encouragement to His Son? a voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. (Matthew 3:17; 17:5 ESV). There are a couple of responses. I wonder if they reflect the spiritual state of the responders. Some think they hear the voice of an angel speaking to Jesus. Does this mean they actually heard what God said? Others just heard loud noise like thunder. But in any case Jesus explains that what God said was for their benefit. Vs : And so from somewhat obscure language Jesus becomes more direct and it s a good thing that powers that be weren t around. First He states that the world is about to be judged. Here, based on John common usage, Jesus is speaking of the Satanic system and all who are in rebellion against God. And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1 2 ESV). 3 Mounce, William D. Mounce, Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament, 2011 ) 290 (

5 With this judgment comes the defeat of the ruler of this world. Who is the ruler? Satan. With the work of the Cross Satan is defeated. The full impact of his defeat won t be experienced by him until the end of the Millennial Age, but it occurs at the cross. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19 ESV). When will all this occur? When Christ goes to the Cross. In this as He was literally lifted up, for that is what He is describing, the world will look on Him and many will believe in Him and be saved out of this evil system. He provides the sacrifice which causes the wrath of God to fall on Him rather than us. as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life (John 3:14 15 ESV). To summarize, as Jesus spoke to both the group of Gentiles and likely His disciples He presented a number of truths. With His death He provides the way of salvation for Jew and Gentile. In this act both the world system of evil and its ruler Satan are defeated, although the final culmination of that won t occur until the end of the Millennium. Vs : Now finally you see what I ve been talking about in how it is easy to understand prophecy and not understand at the same time. Some of the crowd understands the eternal nature of the Messiah. Accordingly, how could He die? I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations (Psalms 89:4 ESV). The crowd s question shows they understand that He is speaking of His death. This is why they are asking Who is the Son of Man? They believe He is claiming to be the Messiah, but this claim is contradictory with His stating that He is to die. Jesus doesn t answer directly. That is Jesus says nothing of the resurrection. Instead He again focuses on His death, that is the light will only be with them a short time. And it is only in believing in Him that one can understands the things of God. They had better turn to Him know so they can pass through the darkness that was still to come. And as we know clear understanding only comes after the resurrection. While we don t know the reaction of the crowd we might assume, since Jesus goes into hiding, that at least some of them didn t respond positively. More on this next time. Conclusion: For many the Cross represents a failure of Christ s mission. And failure is an offense to pride. And pride keep the lost from being saved. Winning God s approval is success. Accepting salvation as a gift? No way! What pride doesn t understand is in our lost condition we have no basis for pride. We are cursed because of our sin. Christ went to the cross accepting our curse so that we don t fall under its consequences, the judgment of our sin. He took that judgment in our place. ) 291 (

6 his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13 ESV). In going to the cross, Jesus also demonstrated how limited we are in our thinking. Many in the crowd correctly understood the Messiah would reign forever and would restore the nation. Which by the way many in Christendom still don t get. The problem was that they couldn t reconcile this with Jesus statement that He was to die. They had a problem accepting the fault was in their understanding, not lack of truth in what Jesus said. Lastly we see Jesus both demonstrating and calling us to a life of sacrifice. He gave His life as sacrifice and then calls us to live in the same way. Loving God and loving others means putting God s call and other s needs ahead of our wants, sacrificially. Living sacrificially doesn t mean we rejoice in the sacrifice but that we rejoice in living in a way that glorifies God and in turn brings us honor. But Jesus was willing to sacrifice His life because of His love of the Father and desire to please Him. He was willing to sacrifice His life because of His love for us and His unwillingness to see any perish. Accordingly, we too are to love sacrificially, not out of fear or obligation but out of love of the Father and Christ and a desire to please God. Northwest Airlines flight 225 crashed just after takeoff from Detroit on August 16, 1987, killing 155 people. Only one person survived: Cecilia, four, of Tempe, Arizona. When rescuers found Cecilia, they did not believe she had been on the plane. They thought she had been a passenger in one of the cars on the highway onto which the airliner crashed. But when the passenger list was checked, there was Cecilia s name. Cecilia survived because, as the plane was falling, Cecilia s mother, Paula Chican, unbuckled her own seat belt, got down on her knees in front of her daughter, wrapped her arms and body around Cecilia, and would not let her go. Nothing could separate that child from her mother s love neither tragedy nor fall nor the flames that followed. Such is the love of our Savior for us. He left heaven, lowered himself to us, and covered us with the sacrifice of his own body to save us. ~ Bryan Chapell, In the Grip of Grace (Baker, 1992) 4 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself (2 Timothy 2:11 13 ESV). 4 Larson, Cragin Brian and Phyllis Ten Elshof, eds., 1001 Illustrations That Connect:, Christianity Today International, Grand Rapids, MI:, ) 292 (

7 The Gospel of John Preparation For The Coming Hour ~ Part 3 John 12:20-36 VII The Christ Revealed to Israel Chapter 2:1-12:50 U. The Countdown To Passover Chapter 12: Day 5 Verses a. Christ s Entry Verses b. Christ s Hour Verses c. Christ s Rejection Verses Introduction: b. Christ s Hour: (John 10:15 17; Isaiah 52:13 15; Hebrews 12:2) Vs : (Isaiah 53:10 12; Romans 6:16 18) Vs. 27: (Isaiah 53:3; Mark 14:33 36; Matthew 3:17; 17:5)

8 Vs : (Ephesians 2:1 2; 1 John 5:19; John 3:14 15) Vs : (Psalms 89:4) Conclusion: (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:11 13) Personal Application: What are you willing to sacrifice is called by the Lord to do so? Ask Him to help you to be open to His leading. Prayer for the Week: Lord may I live in a way that brings You glory. In Christ s name, amen.