The Once and Daily Choice

Stuck On Expectations

John 12:32–34 ESV

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”

Stuck on Expectations

Jesus identifies himself with the Son of Man

The crowd connects that with Messiah

The crowd is still confused

English Standard Version Chapter 9

7  Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

If Christ is “forevermore” why death?

You must not be talking about yourself!

Don’t kill our hopes-That’s not Messiah

We want a conqueror, not a suffering servant.

The question is not answered, it was already explained.

See the Light, Walk In It, Believe In It

John 12:35–36 ESV

So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.

See the Light, Walk In It, Believe In It

What will you do about me?

Respond to the light of God that’s here.

There’s no more time (only 5 days!).

It’s already sunset, night is coming.

Don’t get lost in darkness.

Believe. Become something more.

The ministry of Jesus is light (1:4, 9).

Jesus leaves them: the light is soon gone.

Judgement is now: Whose side you on?

Seeing Isn’t Believing

John 12:37–40 ESV

Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”

Seeing Isn’t Believing

So many Signs, so little faith

Unbelief is at the start (1:11) and the finish (12:37)

The Son of Man is revealed

The “People of God” reject the Son

Their guilt is disbelief in God

Prophecy is fulfilled: Jesus is rejected

God’s sovereign justice responds to hardened hearts

The guilt is there, the judgement has come:

Don’t bother to repent now.

Stand Firm, Choose to Believe

John 12:41–43 ESV

Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Stand Firm, Choose to Believe

Isaiah stood in Yahweh’s glory

Now that glory is given to Jesus

Not everyone rejected Jesus

Many leaders, many more people believed

Courage fails these not-yet-disciples

Whom do you stand with?

Private choice must meet public confession

It’s better to be with God’s Savior

A Once and Daily Choice