How Much Does God Love Us?

The Gospel of John

John 12:27-33

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - May 31, 2017

(Revised December 15, 2019)

BACKGROUND:

*Please open your Bibles to John 12:20. A couple of weeks ago in John 12, we looked at the Lord's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday. This happened during the annual Passover Feast. One source estimated that 3 million people were in Jerusalem for that Passover, both Jews and gentiles. Last week, God's Word focused on some of the gentiles, Greeks who had come to the city to worship at the Passover feast. They believed Old Testament Scripture, but not being Jews, they were very restricted in how they could participate. (1)

*But these Greeks had heard about Jesus, and they told His disciple Philip that they wanted to meet with the Lord. That probably happened on the day after Palm Sunday in the Temple's court of the gentiles. You see, that was as far as these Greeks were allowed to go, and Jesus was probably in the court of Israel.

*John Phillips gave this important background: "The entire Temple area of that day included 19 acres, and this area was divided into four courts. Coming in from the east and moving toward the sanctuary, a visitor would pass through the court of the gentiles, then the court of the women, the court of Israel, and the court of the priests. (2)

*There was a dividing wall which separated the court of the gentiles from the other courts in the Temple. Signs were posted in Latin and Greek to warn Gentiles not to go any farther into the temple under the penalty of death. (3)

*Those Greeks wanted to see Jesus. But they couldn't get past the wall, so Andrew and Philip took their request to the Lord. And in vs. 20-26, they got an unexpected answer:

20. Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast.

21. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus.''

22. Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

23. But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.

24. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

25. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."

*We might think that Jesus would have said, "Hey. Sure. Give Me a few minutes, and I'll be right there." But the Lord was, as always, focused on the cross. Jesus was pointing everyone to the only way we could ever see Him forever: And that is by trusting in the cross of our Risen Savior, trusting in the true Lamb of God who came to earth to die on the cross for our sins.

*In tonight's Scripture, Jesus was still speaking in the Temple, and there was a mixture of people listening to the Lord. Some of the Lord's closest followers were there. There were also some Jewish seekers there, still wondering if Jesus was the Messiah. And there were people present who hated Jesus with murderous passion.

*With this background in mind, let's read John 12:27-33, and as we read, please think about how much God loves us.

MESSAGE:

*How much does God love us? We know that He loves us far more than we can measure, but tonight's Scripture helps us understand.

1. FIRST WE SEE THAT GOD LOVED US ENOUGH TO GO THROUGH THE GREATEST GRIEF FOR US.

*Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God went through terrible grief for us. We see this truth in vs. 27, where Jesus said, "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour."

*Jesus was "troubled." It's the same word used in John 11:33, when Lazarus was still dead, and Jesus saw Mary and the people with her weeping. There the Bible tells us that Jesus "groaned in the spirit and was TROUBLED." This same word "troubled" was also used in John 13:21, on the night before the cross. There God's Word says, "When Jesus had said these things, He was TROUBLED in spirit, and testified and said, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.'''

*The original word for "troubled" had the idea of being turbulently stirred up like a fierce, stormy ocean. Our Lord was in great mental anguish in those last few days before the cross.

*All of us know about mental anguish, some a whole lot more than others. We know the anguish of fear and loneliness. We know the anguish of rejection, discouragement, failure, and the loss of loved ones. Some of us even know the anguish of betrayal. But we can never know the turmoil and grief that Jesus went through as He got close to the cross.

*Gethsemane is the best place to see it, and Mark 14:32-36 says:

32. Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray.''

33. And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.

34. Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.''

35. He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.

36. And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.''

*Luke 22:44 says, "And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

*Jesus went through terrible mental anguish, and he did this for us! Hebrews 2:9-10 speaks about Christians, and says, "We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings."

*Hebrews 4:14-15 says, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."

*And Hebrews 5:7-8 tells us that in the days of (Jesus') flesh, He offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and (Jesus) was heard because of His godly fear. Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

*HOW MUCH DOES GOD LOVE US? -- ENOUGH TO GO THROUGH THE GREATEST GRIEF FOR US.

2. AND ENOUGH TO MIRACULOUSLY SPEAK TO US.

*We hear the Father's miraculous voice in vs. 28-30, and it was prompted by Christ's prayer at the beginning of vs. 28. There Jesus said:

28. "Father, glorify Your name.'' Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.''

29. Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him.''

30. Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake."

*This was the third time our Heavenly Father spoke audibly during the Lord's earthly ministry. The first time was at the beginning of Jesus' ministry when He was baptized by John the Baptist. Matthew 3:13-17 says:

13. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

14. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?''

15. But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.'' Then he allowed Him.

16. Then Jesus, when He had been baptized, came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

17. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.''

*Next was on the Mount of Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed His glory. Luke 9:30-31 tells us that Moses and Elijah also appeared in glory, and Jesus talked to them about the cross.

*Matthew 17:1-8 described the transfiguration this way:

1. Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, brought them up on a high mountain by themselves,

2. and was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

3. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

4. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.''

5. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!''

6. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.

7. But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid.''

8. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

*Why did God the Father make His voice known? -- Every time, He was putting His stamp of approval on His Son Jesus Christ. The Father wants to convince everybody that Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son, and the only possible Savior. He wanted those people and us to believe and be saved!

*Sometimes God speaks out loud. Presbyterian pastor Peter Marshall was the Senate Chaplain, and one of the best-known preachers of the 20th Century. Peter was originally from Scotland, and years before he began his ministry he worked in an English village 16 miles from the border with Scotland.

*One dark night, Peter was walking through the countryside. He was having great trouble seeing the path, when suddenly an urgent voice called his name: "Peter!" "Yes?" Peter replied as he stopped to listen. There was no reply and he started walking again.

*But suddenly the voice came again, even more urgently: "Peter!" He stopped dead still, trying to see into the darkness black as coal. Then Peter Marshall stumbled and fell to his knees. He put his hand out in front to brace himself, and there was nothing there. Peter cautiously felt around until it dawned on him that he was on the edge of an abandoned rock quarry. Just one more step, and he would have fallen over the cliff to certain death.

*Peter Marshall never doubted the source of that voice. And it made a lasting impression on his life, because he realized that God must have had some great purpose for his life. (4)

*The Father speaks! And you might think, "I wish He would speak like that to me!" Well, the next time you are about to go over a cliff, maybe He will. But whether we hear His voice firsthand, or from a testimony, the Father’s voice is for our sake. And always remember that the best way to hear God speak is through the pages of His Word!

*HOW MUCH DOES GOD LOVE US? -- ENOUGH TO MIRACULOUSLY SPEAK TO US.

3. AND ENOUGH FOR JESUS TO SUFFER AND DIE ON THE CROSS FOR US.

*The Lord was about to go through horrible agony on the cross for us, and Jesus spoke of His death in vs. 31-33.

[1] FIRST, JESUS TELLS US THAT HIS MISSION WAS ABOUT TO BE ACCOMPLISHED.

*In vs. 31, Jesus said, "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out." Satan was finally defeated by the cross of Jesus Christ! It was the only way the devil could be defeated without God destroying mankind too. But through the cross of Christ, God had a miraculous way to judge the world without destroying those who would believe in Him.

*And surely Satan is still on the prowl. He will be for a while longer. But the devil's days are numbered, and he has already been defeated by the cross of Jesus Christ!

[2] THE LORD'S MISSION WAS ABOUT TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. AND OUR MASTER WAS ABOUT TO BE ABUSED.

*In vs. 32, Jesus said, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.'' Then vs. 33 tells us, "This He said, signifying by what death He would die."

*Jesus was about to be lifted up on the cross. It's impossible to express the Lord's agony in words. But think about it for a moment: The agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, the mocking trials, the physical abuse, the flesh-tearing scourging of the whip, the crown of thorns, the weight of the cross, and the excruciating agony of being nailed to the cross and hoisted up. On top of that, think about our perfect Savior taking all the shame and punishment for our sins in His body and soul.

*HOW MUCH DOES GOD LOVE US? -- ENOUGH FOR JESUS TO SUFFER AND DIE ON THE CROSS FOR US.

4. AND ENOUGH FOR GOD TO MIRACULOUSLY DRAW US TO HIM.

*It's the miraculous attraction Jesus spoke of in vs. 32. Jesus said: "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.'' Jesus Christ was lifted up on the cross. And He is drawing all people to Him! A. T. Robertson called this miraculous drawing "the magnetism of the cross." (5)

*And it helps us to know that this same word "draw" is used in Acts 16, after Paul cast the demon out of that fortune-telling slave girl. In the KJV Acts 16:19-20 says: "And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and DREW them into the marketplace unto the rulers, and brought them to the magistrates, saying, 'These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city.'" Paul and Silas were grabbed by those slave masters and dragged to the marketplace.

*In John 21, this same word "draw" is also used twice to describe pulling in fish caught in a net. I am so glad that Jesus Christ is drawing people to Him! And I am especially glad that that He dragged me to Him too!

*Jesus draws us to salvation. How does He do it? He uses our circumstances, and He uses His Holy Spirit to witness to us. The Lord showed us how over in John 16:7-14. There Jesus called His Spirit a name that means "Helper," "Comforter" or "Counselor." And Jesus said this to His disciples:

7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

8. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9. of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

10. of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;

11. of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

13. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

14. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."

*The Holy Spirit is still working in the world today, seeking to convict people of their sins and of God's coming judgment on sin. But the most important work of God's Spirit is to shine the light on Jesus Christ. Everybody needs to be convicted of their sins, but it is not enough to be convicted of our sins.

*We must also know God's will and His work to save us from our sins, so the Holy Spirit convicts us of the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Spirit convinces us that the Lord's perfect righteousness made Jesus the one and only perfect sacrifice for our sins. The Holy Spirit also shows us the salvation we can have through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

*How does Jesus draw people to Him? He uses our circumstances, He uses His Holy Spirit, He uses His Word, and He uses Christians just like us.

*Years ago, I had the joy of talking to a little boy about his salvation. His name was Lucas, and I wanted to make sure that he was ready to be baptized. It turned out that Lucas was ready to be baptized. He had trusted in Jesus a couple of months before.

*When I asked him to tell me how it happened, one of the things he said was, "I kept feeling a tugging at my heart. God was calling to me from the inside out." That tugging is exactly what the Lord is talking about here: It's the miraculous magnetism of the cross.

*Christians: That's the way the Lord drew us to Him, and why? Because He loves us!

CONCLUSION:

*Thank God tonight for His boundless love. And pray that He will be able to use us to help draw more people to Jesus. Let's do that right now, as we go back to God in prayer.

(1) http://www.bible-history.com/backd2/jerusalem.html

(2) Adapted from EXPLORING THE GOSPELS: JOHN by John Phillips, Kregal Publications, Grand Rapids - "Jesus and the Building" - John 2:13-17

(3) Adapted from SermonCentral sermon “Our Peace” by Jim Black - Ephesians 2:11-22

(5) WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT by Archibald Thomas (A. T.) Robertson - Published in 1930-1933 - John 12:32