April 17, 2011
Morning Service

St. Jn. 12:12-50

 

1.                  As tradition has it today we start what is commonly known as HOLY WEEK, or PASSION WEEK.

2.                  This account is in all four of the Gospels.  Matt. 21:1-9;  Mk. 11:1-10;  Lk. 19:29-38.

3.                  Jesus is getting ready to offer Himself as the Passover Lamb.  Jesus said one time, “I have not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.”  This is what His life consisted of, fulfilling the law, that we could be counted ( complete in Him.)

4.                  Paul said this; 1Co 5:7 KJVR  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

5.                  There are different opinions on the exact day that Jesus was crucified, in order to complete the 3 days in the grave.  In AD. 33, whatever time, and day the Passover Lamb was to be sacrificed that is when Jesus died on the cross, and shed His blood on the posts of His cross.  This signifying that when I am in Him that blood protects me from the wrath to come.  He redeems, or bought me back to Almighty God through His precious blood He shed on Calvary.  HE, THE TESTATOR, BOUGHT MANKIND A NEW COVENANT, OR TESTAMENT THROUGH HIS BLOOD SHED ON CALVARY.

 

Now let’s look at the events through to writings of John; 

• It is 6 days before the Passover, and Jesus with some of His disciples are eating a meal with His friends, Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.  Martha is serving the dinner, and Mary takes an expensive oil, and anoints the feet of Jesus.  Judas complains about this, he considers it a waste, however, Jesus tells him that she is anointing Him for His burial, and that you will always have the poor with you, if you want to help them.
• Remembering that Passover is just 6 days away, there were many Jews at Jerusalem for this feast.  It was one of 3 feasts that the Jews were to attend if at all possible.  So, they heard that Jesus was there, they came to see Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, because of him being raised from the dead. 

 

Joh 12:12-50 KJVR  On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,  (13)  Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 

• This must have been an awesome sight.  Jesus receiving the accolades, and praise that He deserves.
• One writer commented, that these people didn’t truly understand what was happening, they knew Jesus had done some mighty works, He was a good man, and they expected Him to lead them as King, in deliverance from the Romans.  They did not recognize His work as the Passover Lamb, that would take away the sins of the world.

(14)  And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,  (15)  Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. 

• Again fulfilling Scripture.

(16)  These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. 

• Now John writes as one that is looking back after all is said and done.

(17)  The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.  (18)  For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 

• Again not fully understanding His mission.

(19)  The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. 

• The religious leaders becoming more angry, and envious as this event happens.

(20)  And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:  (21)  The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.  (22)  Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 

• Jewish Greeks, from Greece.  If you recall what Paul said of them on Mars hill, in Athens?

Act 17:21 KJVR  (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

• This is why they wanted to see Jesus.  They were curious, this Jesus is a new thing!

 

 

THE HOLY GHOST AND THE WORD ARE WHAT REMAINS:

(23)  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. 

• This analogy is easy for us to understand.  However, it goes a little deeper than some would imagine.  Jesus is the Seed that is planted, and what that Seed, or Life should produce is exactly what was planted.  We are supposed to be the produce of That Seed.  A CHRISTIAN.  Full of love, peace, forgiveness, the fruits of the Spirit if you please.  WE SHOULD BE LIKE WHAT WAS PLANTED.

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

• Jesus and His teachings have to be first and foremost in your life.  They must be what you are living for.  A little later in chapter 14 He assures them that He is going away to prepare a place for them.

(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.  (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. 

• This should be such a faith building statement for us.  Satan has been defeated.  We have victory over him, because of what Jesus did on Calvary.  Satan has been defeated.  If he still has any control in your life, you can cast him completely out by telling him this Scripture.  NOW SHALL THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD BE CAST OUT. 

(32)  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 

• If what I will do shall be received, and talked about, it will move people to a saving relationship with God, and cause them to love Me.

(33)  This he said, signifying what death he should die.  (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:  (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. 

• Prophecy again used to describe Jesus’ works, and why the Jews didn’t receive Him. ( Rom. 11 )

(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. 

• Here again we see people obeying the things of the flesh, rather than the Spirit of God.

(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.  (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.

 

Jesus victoriously enters Jerusalem for the last week of His earthly life.  HE IS GOING TO CALVARY, AND VICTORY OVER SIN, AND DEATH, but the road there is filled with pain, and agony.  JESUS PAID A TERRIBLE PRICE FOR US TO LIVE ETERNALLY WITH HIM SOMEDAY.

 

Jesus knows where He is going.  Do you know where you are going?

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO GIVE HONOR, GLORY, AND PRAISE TO YOUR SON JESUS, AND THANK YOU FOR THIS GLORIOUS GIFT OF SALVATION, AND DELIVERANCE.