John (21)

Intro: If we were a part of a Jewish family during the time of Jesus, our lives would revolve around the constant anticipation of deliverance. Our weekly patterns of prayer and Sabath, our monthly gatherings for festivals and celebrations, our annual feasts and acts of worship at the temple would all serve as direct reminders that we were waiting for and anticipating the arrival of a new King for Israel.

One of the reasons the Jews were living with such ongoing anticipation is the promise that God gave to one of their former kings… he was the mightiest king for the Jews… he was the king to whom every other king lived in his shadow. God had promised king David that through his decedents God would establish his kingdom forever. We read in 2 Samuel 7:16 because it records God’s covenant with King David.

2 Samuel 7:16 ESV

And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”

Now, before we read our passage from John 12 his morning, consider what it must have been like to be living during this time. There is a constant reminder of the national bondage you are in by the presence of Roman soldiers in your town. You are constantly reminded of the oppression you are under because you have to pay unwarranted taxes to Rome. And today, you are getting prepared to celebrate your national feast of Passover which recalls God’s deliverance of your ancestors from Egyptian slavery. And you have been hearing reports that there is a man among your people who has been working miracles. As a matter of fact many have just recently said that He raised a man from the dead. Could this be the promised one? Could this be the king from David’s line? Could this be the deliverer.. the messiah?

Transition: Read John 12:12-19

The main point of this passage is to reveal Jesus as the Messiah King. He is the coming King that they anticipated. He is the fulfilment of God’s promise to establish David’s kingdom forever. Jesus, truly is the King of Israel.

Transition: How do we see this truth about Jesus in this text? (4 observations)

1. The Reception of the crowd

12:12-13

A. Why did they go out? (heard from the other crowd) 17&18

B. The expectation of immediate victory. Exhilarated yet ignorant the true king. Its very possible that some of the people in this crowd who are slathered up crying Hosanna now, are a part of the crowd crying out Crucify Him just a few days to come.

C. Application: Often, we seek out Jesus for similar reasons. Perhaps we've heard of what He is capable of. We have expectation of Him immediately delivering us from what we have identified as the main problems in our life. Yet, Jesus doesn’t bend to the notions of the crowd.

Transition: They are right to receive Him as the “King of Israel”, but He does not fit their notions as King. Notice..

2. The Demonstration of the King of Peace

12:14-15

A. Jesus sat on a donkey. Why? According to what was written

B. The actual fulfillment of he who comes in the name of the Lord, but humble upon a donkey colt. Jesus would be the passover lamb that Mary had anointed him for the day before. He would be the victorious King of Israel, but He would establish His kingdom through His death and resurrection.

Transition: Jesus is received as the King, He demonstrates Himself to be King… but then notice..

3. The Reflection of the disciples

12:16

A. Believing, yet lacking understanding of the true King. This is pointing to the future indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

B. Application: This is a breath of fresh air for us as Jesus’ disciples today. Often there are things about King Jesus we do not yet understand. And so we grow and mature in our relationship to God through faith in Christ. Look back over the years that you have followed Christ. Hopefully we are thinking and obeying Him with more and more clarity every day.

Transition: Jesus is King. We see this as the crowd celebrates His entrance into Jerusalem, as Jesus rides upon a donkey colt, as the disciples continue to understand.. but lastly.. Jesus is revealed as King even as He is rejected by the Pharisees.

4. The Rejection of the Pharisees

12:19

A. They are spiritually deaf and blind. Out of the true nature of unbelief they are willfully rejecting the King that they claim to be waiting for. The King that they constantly study their holy Scripture to know. He is in front of them, and just a few days later they will cry out to Pilot , “we have no king but Caesar”.

B. One of the sad realities of unbelief is that not everyone will welcome King Jesus.

Transition: However, notice this… God is using everyone in this account to accomplish His promises. Jesus is the promised King. He is fulfilling His responsibilities as King. And so we must ask.. What difference does King Jesus make in our lives? Consider with me, “What are the implication of Jesus being King?” Obviously, He is the anointed one, the promised one, the King who gave His life for His people. The King who rose again from the dead. But this title… King… what does that teach us? see question on slide…

How are we obeying King Jesus?

As King, Jesus is in the position of authority. Some things to chew on and think about..

Authority is good.

Authority has been corrupted by sin.

Part of the reason we chaff against authority is because the authority given to sinners is often misused.

In Christ, we can practice good authority.

As citizens

At Home

In the church

Closing: The King has come… and He will be coming again! He will be coming again as the King of Glory.