The King Who Came To Die

Sermon Title: "The King Who Came to Die"

Text: John 12:12-36a

Introduction: Alexander the Great—A King Who Conquered the World, But Not the Heart

In the ancient world, few names are as synonymous with power, ambition, and conquest as Alexander the Great. Born in 356 BC in Macedonia, Alexander was groomed for greatness from an early age. By the time he was 20 years old, he inherited the throne of a powerful kingdom, and within a mere 12 years, he carved out one of the largest empires the world had ever seen. His military genius, unmatched courage, and unrelenting drive to expand his realm led him to conquer regions stretching from Greece to Egypt, Persia, and all the way into India. There were few places that Alexander could not reach, and wherever he went, his name was met with both awe and fear. He had succeeded in creating an empire that dominated the known world. He was hailed as the king of kings.

His accomplishments were nothing short of extraordinary. The ancient world had never seen anything like the swiftness or scope of his conquests. With unmatched tactical brilliance, Alexander defeated armies far larger than his own. He was known for his fearlessness in battle and his ability to rally his troops to achieve the impossible. His empire stretched across continents, making him one of the most powerful and revered figures in history. In the eyes of the world, Alexander was a king who had it all—military glory, wealth, influence, and admiration.

But despite all his triumphs and the grandeur of his reign, Alexander’s life was ultimately unfulfilled. His empire, vast as it was, began to crumble almost immediately after his death at the age of 32. He left no clear successor, and his empire was soon divided among his generals. Even his personal life was marked by a deep sense of emptiness—despite having conquered the world, he was never able to conquer his own inner turmoil. His achievements, while extraordinary, were fleeting. His military success did not bring lasting peace or joy; it did not solve the deeper questions of meaning, purpose, or eternity. Alexander's reign ended in death, and with it, the empire he built.

This stark contrast leads us to consider another King—Jesus of Nazareth—whose kingdom is not defined by the military might or earthly power that characterized Alexander's reign, but by humility, sacrifice, and love. Unlike Alexander, who fought to expand his kingdom by force and control, Jesus came to establish His kingdom through a radically different path. He did not come as a conqueror in the traditional sense. He did not ride into cities on a warhorse to claim victory through violence. Instead, He entered the world in humility, born in a manger, and throughout His life, He demonstrated a kingship that was centered on service rather than self-exaltation.

Jesus did not seek to conquer lands, but hearts. His kingdom was not one of military might or political dominance, but of spiritual transformation. Jesus came not to take lives, but to give His own life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). His reign is marked by selfless love, the kind that would ultimately lead Him to the cross, where He would lay down His life for the forgiveness of our sins. Unlike the kings of this world, who seek to build kingdoms through power, Jesus came to build a kingdom through sacrifice and service.

While Alexander's life and empire ended in death, Jesus’ death led to an eternal victory. His resurrection three days later sealed His reign as the eternal King, and His kingdom, unlike any earthly kingdom, has no end. Jesus’ victory did not come by defeating enemies with weapons or armies, but by defeating sin, death, and the grave. Through His resurrection, He inaugurated a kingdom that is not bound by the limits of time or space, but that transcends them. His reign is not temporary; it is eternal.

Where Alexander’s empire was built on conquest and violence, Jesus’ kingdom was built on grace, truth, and redemption. His victory did not come through the crushing weight of an empire, but through the lifting up of a cross. The King who was rejected by many and crucified by His own people is now the King of kings and Lord of lords, ruling over a kingdom that is not of this world but is eternal.

Alexander the Great was a king, but his reign was temporary—his power and influence were confined to this earth, and when he died, his empire crumbled. Jesus is the King of kings, whose victory came not through conquest, but through surrender. His power is not of this world; it is the power of God that brings eternal life, transformation, and hope.

The contrast between Alexander the Great and Jesus could not be more profound. One king sought to conquer lands, but the other sought to conquer hearts. One king's empire fell, while the other's kingdom is forever secure. One king's glory was fleeting, while the other's glory is eternal. As we consider the kingship of Jesus, we are invited not only to recognize Him as the King, but also to submit to His reign in our lives—a reign that is not marked by the pursuit of power or pride, but by the way of the cross, where true victory comes through sacrifice.

MP: Jesus is the King whose victory comes through the cross.

The King Welcomed but Misunderstood (John 12:12-19)

A. The Excitement of the Crowd (vv. 12-13)

The people shout “Hosanna!” and acknowledge Jesus as King.

They expect a political deliverer, not a suffering Savior.

The message was clear: Jesus is not like earthly kings.

Earthly rulers establish power through force—Jesus establishes His kingdom through love and grace.

Earthly kings demand service—Jesus came to serve and give His life (Mark 10:45).

Earthly victories are won with swords—Jesus’ victory would come through surrender.

B. The Symbolic Humility of Jesus (vv. 14-15)

Jesus enters on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9.

Zechariah 9:9 ESV

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

He is a King of peace, not war.

C. The Confusion of the Disciples and the Concern of the Pharisees (vv. 16-19)

The disciples don’t fully understand until later.

The Pharisees see Jesus’ growing influence and feel threatened.

Application: Many people today want a Jesus who fits their expectations but resist the true Jesus who calls for surrender and faith.

The Jesus We Want vs. The Jesus Who Is

Text: John 12:12-19

The crowd was shouting “Hosanna!” as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. They waved palm branches, celebrating the arrival of their King. But within days, many of those same people would be shouting “Crucify Him!” How does a crowd go from worshiping Jesus to rejecting Him so quickly?

Because Jesus wasn’t the kind of Messiah they wanted.

Many people today love the idea of Jesus, but not the reality of who He is. They want a Jesus who fits their expectations—who blesses their plans, who stays within their comfort zones, who asks for little and gives much. But the true Jesus doesn’t come to meet our expectations—He comes to call us to surrender and faith.

The Jesus We Want: A King of Our Own Making

The Jews in Jerusalem wanted a political Messiah. They expected Jesus to overthrow Rome, restore Israel’s power, and make their lives easier.

People today are no different. We want a Jesus who:

Affirms our desires instead of calling us to holiness.

Fixes our problems instead of transforming our hearts.

Gives us comfort instead of calling us to take up a cross.

We like a Jesus who blesses us, but what about the Jesus who says, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23)? What about the Jesus who says, “If the world hates Me, it will hate you too” (John 15:18-19)?

We want Jesus on our terms. But He doesn’t work that way.

The True Jesus: A King Who Calls for Surrender

Jesus didn’t come to sit on an earthly throne—He came to go to the cross. The very thing the people wanted Him to avoid was the very reason He came.

And He calls us to follow that same path:

Instead of comfort, He calls us to obedience.

Instead of control, He calls us to trust.

Instead of success in this world, He calls us to lose our lives for His sake (Matt. 16:25).

That’s not an easy calling. That’s why so many walked away when Jesus didn’t meet their expectations. And that’s why many still do today.

Will You Follow the True Jesus?

This is where the question becomes personal. Do we truly want Jesus for who He is—or only for what He can do for us?

If He leads you through suffering, will you still trust Him?

If He calls you to surrender a dream, a relationship, or a comfort, will you still follow?

If His plans look different from your expectations, will you still say, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42)?

The crowds wanted a crown without a cross. But Jesus offers something better: a cross that leads to a crown. The true Jesus isn’t the one who simply fits our expectations—He’s the One who exceeds them. But only for those who are willing to surrender and believe.

So the question is: Which Jesus do you really want?

The King Who Came to Die (John 12:20-26)

A. The Request of the Greeks (vv. 20-22)

Their desire to see Jesus foreshadows the gospel reaching the nations.

both death and resurrection represent one inseparable event in which Jesus achieves the glory of God

B. Jesus’ Response: The Hour Has Come (vv. 23-24)

The metaphor of the grain of wheat: Death leads to life.

Jesus must die to bring salvation to many.

The Cross was the purpose of his life

C. The Call to Follow Jesus in Self-Denial (vv. 25-26)

To love life is to lose it; to hate life for Christ’s sake is to find it.

True discipleship means following Jesus in sacrifice.

Application: Following Jesus isn’t about personal comfort or success—it’s about surrendering our lives to Him.

1 Corinthians 15:31 ESV

I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! Let Go to Follow

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). That’s not the kind of invitation we like to hear. We want Jesus to say, “Come, and I’ll make your life easier.” But instead, He says, “Come, and die.”

We live in a world that clings to comfort. We build our lives around stability, ease, and security. We tell ourselves, “If I can just have a little more money in the bank, a little more free time, a little more control over my future—then I’ll be at peace.” But Jesus calls us to something greater: surrender.

Letting Go of Financial Security

Money is one of the hardest things to let go of. We work hard, we save, we plan for the future. And there’s wisdom in that. But when financial security becomes our trust, rather than Christ, we’re holding onto the wrong thing. Would you still follow Jesus if it meant taking a job that paid less but glorified Him more? Would you still be faithful if He called you to give sacrificially, not just out of your excess?

Jesus told the rich young ruler, “Sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22). But the man walked away sad—not because he didn’t love Jesus, but because he loved his comfort more.

Letting Go of Control

We like to plan. We like to set our own schedules, make our own choices, map out our own future. But what happens when God interrupts your plans? What if He calls you to something unexpected?

Abraham had a comfortable life in Ur. Then God said, “Go to the land that I will show you” (Gen. 12:1). No details, no five-year plan—just a call to trust. And Abraham went. True faith isn’t trusting God just when it’s convenient; it’s trusting Him when everything feels uncertain.

Letting Go of Approval

We all want to be liked. No one enjoys rejection. But following Jesus means there will be times when we don’t fit in—when standing for truth makes us unpopular.

The crowds in John 12 shouted “Hosanna!” when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. But a few days later, many of those same voices cried out, “Crucify Him!” (John 19:15). Why? Because Jesus didn’t give them the kind of kingdom they wanted.

How often do we follow Jesus only when it’s comfortable—only when it doesn’t cost us our reputation, our friendships, or our status? But Jesus said, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me” (John 12:26). Not just in the easy places, but in the hard ones.

Letting Go of Comfort

We love ease. We love entertainment. We love a life that asks little of us. But Jesus didn’t call us to a comfortable faith—He called us to a cross-shaped one.

Paul could have had an easy life as a respected Pharisee, but he let go of it all for Christ. He said, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:8).

What’s holding you back? What comfort are you clinging to that keeps you from truly following Jesus?

The Promise of Surrender

Jesus never asks us to let go without giving us something better in return. He said, “If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26). Let go of the temporary, and He will give you the eternal. Let go of the small things, and He will give you something far greater—Himself.

So what’s still in your hands? What are you afraid to surrender? Jesus is saying, “Let it go… and follow Me.”

The King’s Agony and Invitation (John 12:27-36a)

A. Jesus’ Troubled Soul and Submission (vv. 27-28)

Jesus wrestles with His impending suffering.

His ultimate desire: the Father’s glory.

B. The Father’s Confirmation and the Crowd’s Confusion (vv. 29-30)

The voice from heaven affirms Jesus, but the people misunderstand.

C. The Cross as the Place of Victory (vv. 31-33)

Satan will be defeated; Jesus will draw all people to Himself.

D. The Urgency to Walk in the Light (vv. 34-36a)

The people struggle to understand the necessity of the cross.

Jesus saw the cross not as defeat, but as the path to glory. What looked like weakness was actually the greatest display of power. What seemed like loss was the greatest gain. His suffering wasn’t the tragic end of His mission—it was the very means by which He would fulfill it.

The world sees victory as dominance, success, and strength. But Jesus flipped that upside down. His path to glory was one of humility, pain, and self-sacrifice. He would be lifted up—but not on a throne of gold. He would be exalted—but not with a crown of jewels. He would be glorified—but first, He had to be crucified.

His suffering would lead to salvation. Every lash of the whip, every insult hurled at Him, every nail driven into His hands was not a mark of defeat but a declaration of love. On the cross, Jesus bore the weight of our sin so that we could be free. He took the punishment we deserved so that we could stand forgiven before God.

His death would bring life. The world thought that killing Jesus would end His movement. But the moment He breathed His last, the veil in the temple was torn, the curse of sin was broken, and the way to eternal life was opened. Because He died, we can live. Because He was buried, we can be raised. Because He gave Himself up, we can be reconciled to God.

Jesus knew what the cross meant. He wasn’t a victim of circumstances—He was the willing sacrifice. And He calls us to follow in His footsteps. If we want to share in His glory, we must embrace His cross.

So the question remains: Do we see the cross as Jesus did? The world sees it as foolishness, but to those who believe, it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18). The world sees suffering as something to be avoided, but Jesus embraced it for the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2).

Real glory doesn’t come by avoiding sacrifice—it comes through it. Jesus’ path to victory was through the cross. And if we follow Him, our path to life will lead through surrender as well.

"The cross is the only means by which the love of God can be both displayed and maintained. It is the supreme manifestation of His glory. It is at the cross that we see the love of God in all its fullness. It is at the cross that the righteousness of God is fully satisfied. It is at the cross that the justice of God is completely vindicated."

This quote speaks to the transformative nature of the cross—it was through Christ’s suffering that God's glory, love, and justice were fully revealed. The cross, for Jesus, was not the end, but the means through which victory, salvation, and glory would be accomplished

Jesus urges them to believe while they have the light.

Application: Jesus calls us to trust Him fully—before it is too late. We must walk in the light while we have the opportunity.

Conclusion & Invitation

Big Idea: Jesus is the King whose victory comes through the cross.

Call to Action:

Do you see Jesus for who He truly is?

Are you following Him in surrender, or just seeking a Jesus who fits your desires?

Today is the day to walk in the light—believe in Him fully.

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