January 31, 2010
Morning Service

St. Jn. 12

 

Review:

1.       In chapter 11 of St. Jn.  Martha testified to knowing that there would be a resurrection someday.

2.      Then Jesus told her that He was the resurrection, and the life.  “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  (26)  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

3.     And then she answered the answer that is so important to everyone;  Joh 11:27 KJVR  She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

4.      This is the answer that Peter gave when Jesus ask him, “whom do you say that I am?”  Peter replied, “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Then Jesus told him, “Upon this rock, ( the belief that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God ) I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

5.      Jesus goes on in chapter 11, and raises Lazarus from the dead.

6.      The Jews continue with their plan to kill Him.

7.      Caiaphas the High Priest prophecies that one man must die for everyone.

8.      The feast of Passover was near, and the Jews were wondering if Jesus would make the feast.

 

Let’s continue in chapter 12 of St. Jn.

 

In verses 1-11, we see Jesus at Bethany, where His friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary have made Him a supper.

·         We see Mary take a very expensive oil, and pour it on Jesus’ feet, and wipe it off with her hair.

·         She is criticized by Judas Iscariot, for wasting this oil, but Jesus tells them that she has done this for His burial, and that they would always have the poor to help, but Me you will not always have with you.

·         Then we see the Jews want also to take, and kill Lazarus, because many of the Jews believed on Jesus, because of him.

In verses 12-22, we have the account of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

·         The Passover is in 5 days, and as Jesus enters Jerusalem the people follow crying out, “Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  The King of Israel.”

·         Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Zech. When He enters riding a donkey’s colt.

·         Many of the people came because they had heard what He had done with Lazarus.

·         Then the Pharisees commented, “See you have accomplished nothing, the world goes out after Him.”

·         There were certain Jewish Greeks at the feast, and they said, “Sirs, we would see Jesus.”

 

Joh 12:23-50 KJVR  And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.  (24)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 

• You see the plan?  First of all Jesus died on Calvary for mankind’s sin.  His shed blood bought us a new covenant with God.  Because He died for us, His death, has produced many Christians.  His death, much fruit, Christians.

(25)  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 

• In this world, is the key thought.  We cannot get all wrapped up in the things of this world.  We must stay focused on Heaven, and the Joy that awaits us there.

(26)  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. 

• To be a servant for Christ, in this world, is one of the most glorious callings a man can have.
• Just to study His life, and pattern ours after His, a glorious, fulfilling, calling.

(27)  Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 

• He was troubled!  “I don’t want to leave my friends.  My loved ones.  I love teaching people your ways.  Healing the sick.” 
• However, I know that Calvary is the reason I came, and I will go!

(28)  Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.  (29)  The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.  (30)  Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.  (31)  Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 

• Paul said it like this:  1Co 15:55-56 KJVR  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 
• Death, and the grave has no victory.  Jesus gives us the victory through the resurrection.  He died, and went to the grave, but Hallelujah, He arose, the Victor from the dark domain, and He lives for ever in our hearts to reign.  He arose, He arose, Hallelujah Christ arose.

(32)  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  (33)  This he said, signifying what death he should die. 

• And we can see how this works!  The love that we see flowing from Calvary, causes us to love Him, and want to be His followers, and servants.  It’s the Love of God that draws men to serve Christ, not the fear.

(34)  The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth forever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?  (35)  Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.  (36)  While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.  (37)  But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 

• Some people just totally close their hearts, and minds to acknowledging Jesus as Lord.
• As we can see in the following verses, it wasn’t these individuals that closed their minds to Jesus, but God closed them for them.

(38)  That the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?  (39)  Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again,  (40)  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.  (41)  These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.  (42)  Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:  (43)  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 

• We are not living in that era now.  Anyone can believe on Jesus and be saved.  God is not blinding the eyes of anyone now.  Satan will try and blind you if you let him.  But we are living in the time of “whosoever will let them take of the water of life freely.”  “Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”  It’s up to us now, God is blinding no one.

(44)  Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.  (45)  And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 

• Look at me, the life I live should prove to you that I am from God Almighty.

(46)  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.  (47)  And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  (48)  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.  (49)  For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.  (50)  And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

• How powerful, and pure is that? 
• This is why the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “2Ti 2:15  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

FATHER, CONTINUE TO GIVE US A HUNGER FOR YOUR WORD, THAT WE MIGHT BE THAT GOOD, AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.