Behold the Lamb – Week Two

Title: “Pierced for Purpose”

Text: Luke 19:10; Isaiah 53:3–7; John 12:23–33 Date: Sunday, June 9, 2025 Speaker: Rev. Scott Davis

Introduction:

Last week we heard John the Baptist thunder those world-changing words:

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

And many of us did just that—we looked again at the Savior. We saw how He invited Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael… Not to religion. Not to rules. But to Himself.

This week, I want to ask a different question: Why did Jesus come?

Because if we misunderstand His purpose, we’ll miss the power of the Gospel.

Some say He came to teach morality. Others say He came to show love. Still others say He came to be an example of kindness and justice.

All of that is true—but it’s not complete.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

🔹 He didn’t come to impress. 🔹 He didn’t come to gain applause. 🔹 He came with a mission—and that mission had a cost.

That’s what we’re going to see today. The Lamb we were called to behold last week… is now the Lamb who will be pierced for our transgressions.

I. A Savior Sent to Suffer — And So Are We

(Isaiah 53:3–6, Romans 8:17, Philippians 1:29, 1 Peter 4:12–14)

Isaiah gives us the sobering image of our Savior:

Isaiah 53:3 ESV

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

a) “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief...” (Isaiah 53:3, ESV)

b) “...He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities;

c) upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

We love to read this and say, “Thank You, Jesus.” And we should. But we often stop short of realizing this:

The life of the Lamb becomes the pattern for the lives of the redeemed.

We are not saved from all suffering—we are saved through Christ's suffering, and called to share in it.

🔹 Suffering is Part of Our Inheritance

“...if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:17)

Following Jesus means you don’t just share in His victory—you walk the road of His rejection.

Nugget: We want the crown, but often forget it comes after the cross.

🔹 Suffering is a Gift with a Purpose

“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” (Philippians 1:29)

Paul says it’s been granted—like a gift.

It’s not meaningless. It’s not wasted. It’s a tool in God’s hands to refine us, to humble us, and to draw us closer to Jesus.

🔹 Suffering Should Not Surprise Us

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you… But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings...” (1 Peter 4:12–13)

We’re shocked when it’s hard to live for Christ. But we shouldn’t be.

If the Lamb was mocked, betrayed, and crucified—why do we expect applause for following Him?

🔹 Suffering Reveals the Gospel in Us

“...that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:10)

When we suffer with joy, when we endure with faith, when we keep going despite the fire—it’s not us people see. It’s Jesus.

🎯 Application:

You are not alone in your suffering—Christ walks with you in it.

You are not weak for feeling the weight of this world—you are blessed when you lean on the One who overcame it.

Let’s read this comforting scripture together.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

So yes—our Savior suffered. And so will we. But here’s the difference: Jesus chose it. He wasn’t surprised by the suffering. He wasn’t caught off guard. He wasn’t a victim of circumstance.

He stepped into suffering with purpose. He walked toward the cross—not away from it.

And that brings us to our second point today:

The heart of Jesus was set on the cross—because the heart of Jesus was set on you.

Let’s turn now to John 12, where Jesus speaks openly about what’s coming next…

II. A Heart Set on the Cross (John 12:23–28)

By the time we reach John 12, the public ministry of Jesus is drawing to a close.

And here’s what He says:

John 12:23 ESV

23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Now stop right there—what is that hour?

It’s not His miracle-working hour.

It’s not His teaching hour.

It’s His dying hour.

He goes on to say:

John 12:24 ESV

24 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.

Jesus knew that life would come through His death.

He wasn’t dragged to the cross—He walked there with eyes wide open.

John 12:27 ESV

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.

You were the reason He came—and the cross was never plan B.

“For this purpose I have come.”

Jesus didn’t come to make bad people better—He came to make dead people alive.

So Jesus didn’t just accept the cross—He embraced it. Not because it was easy… but because it was necessary. Not because He deserved death… but because we did.

He said, “For this purpose I have come.” But here’s what’s even more incredible:

That death—brutal, shameful, public—would become the very thing that draws people to Him.

The cross, once a symbol of fear, would become the fountain of grace. Let’s look now at how the crucifixion of Jesus became the invitation to the world…

III. A Death That Draws

(John 12:32–33; John 6:44; Isaiah 55:6)

In John 12, Jesus says something remarkable:

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (v.32)

He said this, John tells us, to show the kind of death He was going to die.

Let that settle in:

The cross—the brutal, bloody, Roman instrument of execution—would become the greatest invitation in human history.

🔹 Not a stage… 🔹 Not a miracle… 🔹 Not a throne…

But a cross would be the place where the Savior draws people into salvation.

And here's the truth Jesus makes clear:

No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws them.

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44)

He Is Still Drawing Today

Right now, in this very room—He is drawing.

You feel it in your chest.

You hear it in your conscience.

You recognize it in your circumstances.

He draws through:

The word being preached,

The Spirit stirring your heart,

And the cross, lifted high for all to see.

Nugget: God doesn’t just want your attention—He wants your heart.

But here’s the warning:

You can feel the drawing of God… and still walk away.

Some Know It, Feel It—and Ignore It

Every Sunday across this world, people sit in pews with a stirred heart… …a convicted soul… …a nudging they can’t explain…

And then they silence it. They suppress it. They say, “Maybe later.”

But there may not be a later.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

If He is drawing you now—it’s because He wants you now.

And the most dangerous thing you can do is harden your heart to the invitation of God. Hebrews 3:15

Hebrews 3:15 ESV

15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Application:

You may never get this moment again. Don’t treat the drawing of God casually. It is mercy in motion.

He was lifted up to draw you in—not just to attend church… not just to improve your life… But to save your soul.

Have you ever asked the question...will God ever stop pursuing me?

The Bible does teach that there can come a time when God, after persistent rebellion and hardening of heart, may withdraw His drawing or hand someone over to their own desires. This is a sobering and serious truth—not to scare people emotionally, but to awaken them spiritually. Here are key passages that support it:

Genesis 6:3 ESV

3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”

God was speaking of the wickedness before the flood, and He made it clear—there’s a limit to His striving.

Nugget: God is patient, but He is not passive.

Romans 1:24, 26, 28 – "God Gave Them Over"

“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts…” (v.24) “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions…” (v.26) “God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” (v.28)

Three times Paul says “God gave them up” or “gave them over.” That’s judicial language. It means God allowed them to go their own way after they persistently rejected Him.

Hebrews 3:7–11 – “They Shall Not Enter My Rest”

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” “…they always go astray in their heart… therefore I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” Hebrews 3:7-11

This passage references Israel’s rebellion in the wilderness, but it’s applied to the New Testament church.

God gives repeated warnings in Hebrews not to harden the heart while His voice is being heard.

So yes—He was lifted up. And He still draws.

But the drawing isn’t guaranteed to last forever.

The cross is still calling. The Spirit is still stirring. But the question is this: Will you come?

You’ve seen the suffering Savior. You’ve heard His purpose: to save the lost. You’ve felt the weight of His love, stretched out on a cross.

The Lamb has been lifted up—and now the moment of decision has come.

Let’s land the plane and look at what all of this means for you—right now.

Invitation:

Friend… If you’re feeling the pull in your heart today—don’t ignore it. That’s not emotion. That’s not pressure. That is God drawing you. That is grace reaching for you.

Jesus said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself.” He’s doing that right now.

And you have a choice:

You can resist and walk away.

Or you can run to the foot of the cross and surrender.

Don’t say, “Maybe later.” There may not be a later.

“My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…” (Genesis 6:3) “Seek the Lord while He may be found…” (Isaiah 55:6) “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15)

If you’ve never given your life to Jesus… if you’ve never turned from your sin and trusted in the finished work of the cross… then this is your moment.

Come to Jesus. Come to the Lamb who suffered in your place. Come to the One who was lifted up to draw you near.

And if you're a believer who's drifted—this is your moment too.

If you’ve gone cold… come home.

If you’ve been doubting… lean in.

If you’ve grown weary… let Him restore you.

Don't miss the Lamb. Don't silence the drawing. Don't wait for another Sunday.

The Lamb is calling—come and see.