Following Jesus: into Jerusalem

Intro

We have encountered Jesus in the signs of turning water into wine, healing various people, feeding the 5000, walking on water, and, most recently, at the tomb of Lazarus as Jesus comes to be with his friends Mary & Martha, and to call Lazarus back from the dead. We have heard Jesus declare Himself to be the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the gate, the Good Shepherd, and the Resurrection and the Life.

We have, with the disciples and the Jewish people and leaders, seen and experienced how our response to Jesus isn’t always immediate faith and following. We are divided in what to do with this Jesus. He says some amazing and troubling things.

We have, with Nicodemus, tentatively come to ask our questions. To admit that we don’t totally understand what’s happening, even though we “oughtt to know.”

We have, with the woman at the well, been surprised by Jesus’ desire and willingness to encounter us, by his stepping over social and religious boundaries to be with us, and by his trusting us to be the bearers of the good news of his arrival in and presence in and for the world.

We have, with Martha and Mary, wondered why Jesus has delayed. Worried about his late arrival. And then experienced the radical juxtaposition of grief with the joy of resurrection.

And now, as the tension mounts, we know that as the Passover nears, the events of the Passion - are about to unfold.

Chapter 12 is like a hinge chapter. It’s commenting on all that has come before, but it’s also setting up all that is coming after.

Some even differentiate between the two parts of John’s gospel by talking about “The book of signs” and “The book of glory” but chapter 12 sits right in between. It completes the book of signs, comments on it. AND it also serves as the introduction to the chapters that are to follow.

We’re here on the hinge between the signs of Jesus’ ministry and the demonstration of glory that will be revealed through the final days of Jesus’ pre-resurrection life. Glory, not like that of Rome or of empire, but of a humble, self-giving, radically sacrificial display of what true power is, where true glory lies, and what this God called Yahweh is really like.

Chapter 12 contains Jesus’ final public discourse… Jesus will do some more teaching in John’s gospel, but it will be to a small group, to his inner circle as they gather to celebrate Passover. Chapter 12 contains the last recorded public teaching moments of Jesus in this fourth gospel.

As we prepare for the reading, a few things might be helpful to keep in mind:

Lazarus, the last time we met him, was standing outside his own grave, still wrapped in graveclothes. We’ll meet him again, this time as the host of a dinner and as one whose existence is coming to be seen as a threat to the empire because of how it’s leading people to trust in this Jesus.

We’ll meet Lazarus’ sisters again as well. Martha and Mary. As we meet them, remember the depth of relationship that we saw in last week’s reading. These three siblings know and love Jesus and are known and loved by Jesus in return. That mutuality and reciprocity will be on display here too.

We’ll meet Judas… and we probably already have a sense of what encountering Judas means. He’s dressed darkly, lurking in the shadows… and we can sense the betrayal that will happen in just a few chapters. But remember, he’s here for all of this. He was called by Jesus to be a disciple. And he’s been following. Sort of.d

And we’ll meet crowds…

v9 the great crowd of the Jews came to see Jesus and Lazarus for themselves

v12 the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem

v17 the crowd who had seen Lazarus raised continued to testify

v18 the crowd who had seen Lazarus raised went out to meet Jesus

v29 the crowd heard the voice from heaven

v34 the crowd answered (and asks question)

Reading

John 12:1–36 NRSVue

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” 9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. 12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 17 So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. 18 It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19 The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!” 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler 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 indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34 The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is in you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

Sermon

As the hour draws near, six days before the Passover…just two miles from Jerusalem…in the home of Lazarus…Jesus is anointed… And several comparisons come into focus.

backwards: stench of death vs. the smell of grace - Lazarus’ tomb vs Lazarus’ table

forwards: Mary vs. Judas - Mary’s humility, devotion, love… Judas’ betrayal will culminate in a final act of betrayal, but it has already begun, or at least hinted at earlier.

Mary’s act also foreshadows something. In the next chapter (which we’ll look at next week), Jesus will also kneel down to serve. To demonstrate what love looks like. There is a reciprocity here shown - Mary isn’t trying to get Jesus’ attention or to earn his affection, she is simply mirroring what she has experienced from him. He pours himself out, offers himself generously, loves, lavishes…

So as the hour draws near, we see connections back to the raising of Lazarus, and forward into the coming events - both the beautiful expression like Jesus washing the feet of the disciples AND the darker events like Judas’ betrayal.

As Jesus enters Jerusalem…

As Jesus is revealed as king - and a king who has already won. (this is what the donkey is meant to communicate - that he’s king, but also that he’s a king who has already conquered!)

God’s victory comes through sacrifice not through violence like the empire.

On a weekend like this one, this should offer a stark contrast to what we see being displayed on a global stage right now. And even a stark contrast with what we might be thinking of feeling about world events.

Jesus has already (and is about to) demonstrate a very different kind of power. And the whole world is watching…

John 12:20–22 NRSVue

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

These pilrimage festivals drew pilgrims from many places. But these Greeks arrive, find Philip and they make a beautiful request that is then passed along …

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, it appears that the whole world is there. We might not gasp at the presence of Greeks in the text. But this is an important reminder that the good news of Jesus will not just be for the Jewish people. It will start with them, but as already seen, it will include the Samaritans, and at another festival in Acts 2, the good news of Jesus will overflow any container it gets put in… until the whole world is included!

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, he responds to the Greeks’ request with a powerful image of what glory will look like - in Jesus’ life AND in the lives of any who wish to follow him:

John 12:23–26 NRSVue

23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

The promise of judgment. (WAIT, what?)

Judgment might not seem like a “good” thing. But Jesus the king, is the kind of king who brings life out of death. (See chapter 11 - Lazarus, but also all the signs before that too)

Jesus is the kind of king who brings life out of death for all. That is what his kingdom is about.

In what Jesus says here…

We see that evil, even though it seems to be strong, doesn’t win: Judgment means the ruler of this world is out.

John 12:31 NRSVue

31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.

Who is the “ruler of this world”? Some would point to a term called “The Satan” - note the use of the the word “the” … this is because Satan isn’t a person. The Satan means the Adversary. And partly, this is because The Satan is anti… anti-beauty, anti-relationship, anti-harmony, anti-God…. and often, the Satan is portrayed in scripture as one who tempts, or deceives or opposes God. Jesus has portrayed the Satan as a thief in John chapter 10, setting up the comparison between himself as the Good Shepherd and the thief…

John 10:10 NIV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

But now the comparison is between the king who brings life and the thief who only comes to steal, kill and destroy. And Jesus is saying, no matter how it looks in the moment, in the end, evil is not going to win. Jesus is king and he’s the kind of king who brings life out of death and banishes evil - anything that steals, kills and destroys from his kingdom.

This leaves us to wonder two things: how will Jesus accomplish this? And who gets to be part of it?

John 12:32 NRSVue

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

We see that when Jesus is lifted up (on the cross but also in his ascension!), he will draw all people (or some manuscripts say “all things”!) to himself.

So HOW will Jesus be the kind of king who brings life out of death? By laying down his own life - and taking back up again!

And who is it for? Well, according to Jesus, it’s for “all people”…

And so, as we gather at the table…We want Jesus to come and be in our home, among us. Like the Greeks, we, too, wish to see Jesus. And we want to be quick to hear others’ requests to see him - and to take quick action like Philip and Andrew did. We want to remember that, as the hymnwriter would put it… “though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.” Evil doesn’t win. Death doesn’t get the last word. Jesus conquers by laying his life down, demonstrating true power, and drawing all people to Himself.

All people. Beginning with those disciples huddled in the upper room with Jesus

Communion

THE LORD’S SUPPER: COVENANT-MAKING

This pattern for covenant-making celebrates the eternal covenant of grace between God and humanity and also the covenant between believers within the community of disciples.

WE GATHER

God has made us a people: we have been shaped by God’s will. Jesus calls us together: we meet in Jesus’ name. The Spirit binds us together: and leads us into truth.

WORDS OF INVITATION

Look, here is the Lord’s Table spread as for a feast. Bread for breaking, wine poured for drinking: signs of his love and hospitality, symbols of his life broken, his blood poured out.

He is not dead! He is risen and present among us, evidence of God’s covenant grace and promise.

So we come in faith to the table, you and I, companions on the journey. Some of us fresh and eager, others weary, in need of nourishment.

All of us conscious of our failings.

Words of confession and forgiveness may be offered here extempore or using prayers from Part Two of this book. At the conclusion of the prayer the words of invitation may be concluded

Come now, don’t hesitate, the feast is ready and the Lord himself invites you.

WE COVENANT

Creating and redeeming God, we give you thanks and praise.

Your covenant of grace was made for our salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.

We come this day to covenant with you and with companion disciples:

to watch over each other and to walk together before you in ways known and still to be made known.

Pour your Spirit upon us. Help us so to walk in your ways that the promises we make this day, and the life that we live together, may become an offering of love, our duty and delight truly glorifying to you – Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

This day, we give ourselves again to the Lord and to each other to be bound together in fellowship, and to work together in the unity of the Spirit for the sake of God’s mission.

The following may be named, as appropriate.

In our congregation, in local partnerships, in our association and in the wider Union, we commit all that we have and are to fulfil God’s purposes of love.

As a sign of covenant, we share the peace.

WE REMEMBER

It was the night of the Passover, and Jesus and his friends were sharing supper together.

While they eating he told them that one of them would betray him. They were appalled and protested saying, ‘Not I Lord, I would never betray you.’

Jesus took some bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them saying, ‘Take this and eat. This is my body.’

He took the cup of wine and after giving thanks passed it among them, saying as they drank, ‘This is my blood of the covenant. It is poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. I will not drink again until the day comes when I drink with you in my father’s Kingdom.’

As the story is told (or immediately after) the person presiding breaks the bread and pours the wine.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Creating and redeeming God, we give you thanks and praise for your covenant of grace: a covenant expressed in sinful people who know forgiveness, the weary who are refreshed, the hungry who are nourished, the captives who are set free and the oppressed who experience liberation. Thank you that you chose to make us a part of your story.

Thank you for Jesus Christ who revealed your love in his death and resurrection and who continues to share his life with us through bread and wine.

Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit who sustains us in our walk together, helping us to watch over each other, to pray for one another, and to work together for justice and truth.

As we eat this bread and drink from the cup, (signs of hospitality and grace), may we be empowered to serve boldly wherever you may call.

Accept these prayers and our heartfelt thanksgiving in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

WE SHARE

Taking and breaking the bread

Among friends, gathered round a table, Jesus took bread, broke it and said, ‘This is my body, it is for you’.

Taking the cup of wine

And later he took the cup of wine and said, ‘This is the new relationship with God, made possible because of my death. Take this – all of you – to remember me’.

Look, here is your Lord coming to you in bread and wine. These are the gifts of God for the people of God.

[call up servers & worship team at the same time]

today, we will be invited to make our way up to the table and to receive the elements here. etc.

WE JOURNEY

Holy God, we have been nourished and had our thirst quenched, through bread broken and wine poured in thanksgiving for your Son Jesus Christ. Send us out to be as generous to those we meet this week, that we might show through word and deed that he is not dead, but risen and present among us.

Hallelujah! Amen.