John 12:20-

Introduction

We finished up our series on relationships last week and we are now back to our series in John. We finished last in the first 11 verses in John 12 . We are going to skip around a tad as I am going to make John be our storyteller for both Palm Sunday and Easter.

That means we will skip the next 8 verse and come back to them for Palm Sunday. We will also skip ahead on Easter Sunday and cover John 20.

So join with me if you will in John 12:20-36 . Now, obviously, just because we are skipping the triumphal entry into Jerusalem this week clearly does not mean that it had not happened. So you must keep in your mind as we go through this story that we have just seen Jesus almost killed in Jerusalem, he fled away, then returned to be anointed by Mary the sister of Lazarus, and has now returned into Jerusalem to be celebrated as the coming Savior.

The New International Version Chapter 12

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

Aw the Greeks. The Greeks were known as wanderers and went from town to town in search of wisdom and knowledge. Many of them were God-fearers but held within an arms reach as the jews would not allow them into their innner circle.

The Greeks coming to find Jesus is the exact thing Jesus said would happen in chapter 10. Remember he said, I have other sheep who are not in this fold and they will hear my voice.

Here is what I want to draw to your attention though. Phillip spent time in the Decapolis and made a strong enough connection that they would approach him.

THE CONNECTION YOU MAKE TODAY COULD BE THEIR CONNECTION TO JESUS TOMORROW

What if we looked at every connection point we make and treated it this way.

Andy Andrews, a well known Christian speaker and author has a very famous sermon about the Butterfly effect.

We dont have enough time to show the whole ten minute clip today but by all means feel free to google Andy Andrews Butterflly effect

In short he speaks about

EDWARD LORENZ- Butterfly effect

Norman Borlaugh - Person of the week, hybridized corn for arid climates

Henry Wallace - VP for Harry Truman sole purpose to figure out wheat and corn and hired Norman Borlaugh

GW Carver -The baby sitter

Moses Carver - Diamond Missouri farmer quantrails raiders

All of that is to say, we dont make the decision on who is inside and who is outside. Jesus has sent his gospel message for us to go unto the world. it is his desire that no man should perish and that all will come to know him.

We have got to be less like closed off robots accomplishing tasks and more like bridges, streets, and roadways allowing avenues of access for Jesus.

The New International Version Chapter 12

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

This illustration, as all of Jesus’ are, is perfect. Jesus begins to prepare his disciples and followers for what is to come. He has, in many ways predicted his death before this time. but he speaks it very clearly.

Up until this time, death has only equaled one thing. There has been no benefit. Death was a necessary evil, and there was hope in your faith alone. But now, Jesus is here, on one hand, is here to announce his saving of these people and declaring He is the Messiah. They are all excited. Many confused thinking he is here to save them from the Roman people. On the other hand he tells them he is about to die.

Imagine what they are thinking.....

BUT NOW CHRIST HAS BROUGHT LIFE IN DEATH

YOU AND I HAVE NOT BEEN EXCLUDED FROM LOSING OUR LIFE, BUT WE WERE GIVEN HOPE THAT WHEN WE LOSE OUR LIFE WE WILL GAIN IT IN CHRIST

We have misunderstood at times what it means when Christ gave His life......

The New International Version Chapter 12

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Jesus knows what is coming soon. The dust from the ground from the crowds praising him have not settled back down yet but he already knows what is coming

He says he is troubled tetaraktai

The reaction most of us have when we are troubled is to find our way out. to back away from what troubles it. Christ, in his love, mercy, grace, and compassion, headed straight towards trouble.

The spiritual heard, those of the world did not

There is but one thing that will bring all men and women of every nation and every background together. It is the cross of Jesus. Its no politician. Its no social action, no amount of money or power. Those outside of Jesus will never know diversity like those of us drawn by the cross of Jesus.

The New International Version Chapter 12

34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law 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 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

The term the Son of man is referenced in Daniel and He is indeed everlasting.

limited time