March 29, 2015
Morning Service

This morning we begin the Passion week of our Lord.  We will however, begin with His visiting His friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.  This was more than likely where He spent Friday, and Saturday, resting, and worshipping with these close friends.  In these two days, as John tells us, He eats a meal with them, and Mary anoints Him for His burial.  Also at this time many came to see Jesus, because it was here that He raised Lazarus from the dead.  The religious leaders also tried to figure out how they could kill Him, and also Lazarus, because the people knew of this miracle, and believed on Jesus, because of Lazarus’s testimony.  ( St.Jn. 12:1-11).

 

            Then we begin His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, let’s see how John describes it.

Joh 12:12-50  On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 

·         It is Sunday, and only 4 days from when they will choose the lamb for their Passover.

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

·         Jesus knows He is going to Calvary!  Fulfilling the demand for the lamb sacrifice.

·         This time He does not tell the people to hush concerning Him.  He knows this will anger the religious leaders who want to kill Him, and they will fulfill the will of God for His death.

·         John tells us that Jesus is fulfilling Scripture by riding this young donkey into Jerusalem.

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

·         The religious leaders are wringing their hands not knowing how they will get rid of Him.

(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. 

·         These Greeks ask the question that the whole world needs to ask, “sirs, we would see Jesus.”  And in a way the world does ask this question, but where they want to see Jesus is in the lives of His followers. 

·         I truly believe that there are still people who want a better life, and only Jesus can give it.

(22)  Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.  (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. 

·         Jesus speaks of His death, and the disciples it will bring forth.

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

·         Another hard saying.  Our flesh loves the things of this world, but we must crucify the things of this world to our God.  Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

·         I never fail to tell the testimony of Bro. Kern when at Scriptures like this.

(26)  If any man serve me, let him follow me;

·         Follow Me!  Follow, and do what I teach.

and where I am, there shall also my servant be:

·         “In My Father’s house there are many mansions………………………………..”

if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 

·         The Eternal God Spirit, Jehovah God, the Holy Ghost, according to Matthew 1:18, is the Father of Jesus.  What a wonderful description of fellowship the Lord gives us, that of Father, and Son.

(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.

·         A young man 33 years of age, with a wonderful ministry, wonderful friends, and He must give His life a ransom for the world.  Such a terrible price for my sins!!

·         Then notice what His Father says;

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.  (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. 

·         The Prince of the world is satan, and he is about to be totally defeated, and cast out.

·         Then Jesus again tells how He will die.  Be lifted up at Calvary.

(34)  The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: 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: 

·         Notice why they did not believe.

(38)  That the saying of Esaias 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 Esaias 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 Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 

·         But notice some believed, but did not confess 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. 

·         Don’t ever be afraid to confess our Lord.  Any place that won’t accept our Lord, we have no business there.  That means anywhere, and any body.

(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. 

·         A light, to show us the way.  The way to life, and that more abundantly.

(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.

·         Every minister of this blessed gospel should be able to say the same thing of their ministry.

(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.

·         It is, and always will be our duty of pointing people to the Lamb of God, the Word, the Almighty God, Jesus of Nazareth the Son of God.  A great mystery, but revealed to us through His Sacred Word.

 

LORD JESUS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING YOUR LIFE, THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE.    AMEN.