Seed to Harvest

Here’s a few book titles with the that contains the phrase “Changed the world “in their title.

a) Gunpowder: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World.

b) Cod: The Biography of the fish that changed the World.

c) The Model T: The car that changed the world

d) The Pill: The Biography of the drug that changed the world

e) The Twist: The story of the song and dance that changed the world

f) Mauve: How One man invented a color that changed the world.

Some revolutionary things that are now gone: Typewriters, cassette and/or 8-track tapes, VHS videotapes, rotary phones and vacuum tube radios.

One event, one happening, one message that changed the world - and continues to change the world - the death of Jesus on the cross. Evidence of it “all over” - church buildings, necklaces, art, even tattoos

We see the cross and it stirs something in us, in people. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative.

The gospels on average use 1/3 of their words in the final week leading up to Good Friday.

Here in John chapter 12, just over halfway in the gospel, we have entered the final week.

Two weeks ago: Saturday evening - Mary anointed Jesus - for burial

Last week: the triumphal entry on Sunday

We have a couple of interactions today and next week, John doesn’t provide a timeline “when” they happened. In two weeks, it will be Thursday evening of Holy Week (Chapter 13) and we will spend a number of Sundays sharing about that evening, that night, and into the day on Friday.

Let’s see what Jesus has to say about this event that would change the world.

Please stand as we honor the reading of God’s Word:

John 12:20–36 NIV

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. 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. 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. 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 WORD OF GOD, FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Life and Love

death - ransom, substitution, God’s love - John wraps it up with Jesus words of relationship, life, and light.

Cecilia, age 4, sole survivor, August 16, 1987, shortly after takeoff from Detroit

Urgency

death and urgency - seed, love/hate, lifted up, light/darkness

hyperbole of hate

Focus

lifted up - previous 3:14; 8:28

Christ is the message

John 1:17 NIV

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Grace is found in the cross of Jesus Christ. Truth is found in the cross of Jesus.

Grace and truth come through the cross of Jesus Christ.