Series: Discovering the Life Changing Gospel
John 12:20–36 (HCSB)
20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 “I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop. 25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. 27 “Now My soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save Me from this hour? But that is why I came 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 it was thunder. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him. 30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for Me, but for you. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.” 33 He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die. 34 Then the crowd replied to Him, “We have heard from the scripture that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become sons of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.
1. GENUINE SEEKERS WANT TO SEE JESUS (12:20-21)
- We assume the lost have no interest in Jesus, it’s not always true.
- Often it’s not Jesus the unchurched have a problem with, it’s Christians.
2. THE REAL COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS (12:22-26)
- Following Jesus requires death to self and the old nature.
- Following Jesus demands complete surrender.
3. THE REQUEST OF JESUS TO THE FATHER (12:27-29)
- Jesus sees in a glimpse the repulsiveness of taking on the sins of the world.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB)
21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
- Jesus surrenders Himself to the Cross so that God would be glorified.
4. THE CROSS SPELLS THE END OF SATAN’S RULE (12:30-32)
- The Cross looked like a victory for Satan, but in reality it marked his defeat.
Romans 16:20 (HCSB)
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Hebrews 2:14 (HCSB)
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the Devil.
- Christ was lifted up (on the cross) so that men could be drawn to Him.
5. THE LIGHT SHINING IN THE DARKNESS (12:33-36)
- Christ came to be the light of the world.
- Christ removes the darkness (our sin) to give us eternal life.
Satan’s plan all along was to keep us in the darkness of our sin long enough to rob us of an eternity with God. Jesus comes as the light and reveals His willingness to pay for our sins on the cross.
