A Purposed Jesus John 12:20-36

Introduction: We must realize that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. We are those lost people. Jesus was never confused about who He was and what He was to do. As the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world He was committed to this world. We must realize that we have a purpose as well. Our purpose is take the message of Christ to the world. This so we can fulfill the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20.

I. We Wish to See Jesus 20-26

A. As Jesus has dealt with His enemies, He reminds them that the hour has come for Him to be lifted up. This symbolizes that He knows He must die for the sins of the world. This is why He has come.

B. The arrival of the Greeks allows all to see that Jesus has come for the whole world. One of the mistakes made by the Pharisees was the failure to understand that the truth of God was for all people everywhere. We must not make the same mistake today in our lives and churches. We must be aware of the Great Commission.

C. The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. The Son of Man reference comes from Daniel. Nebuchadnezzer had seen the fourth man, the Son of Man, with the three Hebrew children. Jesus had referred to Himself as the Son of Man. He now tells them plainly that this must happen. Jesus will be clear from this point forward and the disciples will still have difficulty realizing that Jesus will die.

D. He uses the illustration of a grain of wheat having to die for it to produce more. Jesus reveals that His death, burial and resurrection will produce much fruit for the kingdom of God. The message of the gospel, the good news, will be plain for all to see and understand. The gospel will be according to the Scripture, 1 Corinthians 15:2-4

1 Corinthians 15:2–4 (ESV)

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

E. A contrast of love and hate concerning our life claims our attention. Love and hate manifests itself with the enemies of Jesus and their attitudes toward Him. The disciples are called to love Jesus. The Pharisees hate Jesus. Jesus asks them to choose. A simple choice with eternal results.

F. Each disciple must make the choice and in so doing commits to service to the Lord. We must serve, diakonos, at the will of the Father. We must follow Jesus. When we follow Jesus then we serve God. These principles are valid and require our commitment to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

II. What Shall I Say 27-34

A. Jesus now allows us a glimpse into His soul. It is His soul that is troubled or agitated. His inner being is agitated. He will caution the disciples in John 14:1,27 that their hearts not be agitated.

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

B. Shall I avoid this hour? Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He was not about to walk away from this hour. This is why He came. This was the purpose of His virgin birth, His sinless life, and now coming to Jerusalem at the Passover. Never would He seek to avoid this in His life. The purpose should be clear to all. They did not realize this.

C. We must never forget this is why He came. His death was one where He freely gave His life. He laid down His life, no one took it from Him.

D. Now aa voice from heaven states that the Father has glorified His name and I will glorify it again. This is the third time in the ministry of Jesus that the voice of the Father has spoken. Matthew 3:17

Matthew 3:17 ESV

and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 17:5 ESV

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

and now at this place. We must listen to the voice of God. The voice is for the people who will listen.

E. A great prophesy will now be spoken; the judgement of the world has come and the ruler of this world will be cast out. Satan, the great adversary will be cast out when Jesus goes to the cross and is raised again by the power of the Father.

F. Jesus then states with great clarity that He will be lifted up and that He will draw all men to himself. This reveals what kind of death He will suffer.

G. The crowd that has gathered now stands confused. They all have been taught that the Christ, the Messiah remains forever. How then can you say the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man. No matter what the crowds see or hear they do not understand who Jesus is. We see the same in our world. People do not understand who Jesus is.

III. Walk in the Light 36-36

A. Jesus once again returns to the metaphor of light and darkness. Ever since Genesis 1:2

Genesis 1:2 ESV

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

The cosmic battle of God and Satan has been clothed in the words of light and darkness. John 13:30 “So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.”

B. The light is among you for a little while longer. John 12:35 “So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.” Jesus is the light we need.

C. Do not allow darkness to overtake you. Look ahead and see the role of darkness in the death of our Lord. The disciples sleep in the Garden. Jesus is arrested in the night. The trail opens in the night. When exposed to the light the trial is seen for its false witnesses. When Jesus is on the cross it will be dark for 3 hours. They bury the light be the darkness comes. The light of a new world begins early in the morning as the tomb is found empty. We must know darkness blinds. The light allows us to believe and serve.

D. The crowd is told to believe in the light so that you may become the sons of light. The very purpose of Jesus can be seen here.

Conclusion: Will you walk in the LIght?