The Glory of God Revealed
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Glory of God
Glory of God
Tonight, as we look at another reason why Jesus came to earth, we find ourselves studying a critical moment in the life and ministry of Jesus. In chapter 12 of the Gospel of John we see that Jesus is finishing up his public ministry. Jesus has just finished his last major sign or miracle when he raised Lazarus from the dead in chapter 11.
If you remember John tells us in John 20:30-31 that Jesus did these miracles that he recorded so that people would believe in him and have life in his name.
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Because of this final miracle that Jesus has just preformed many people are believing in Jesus. The light which, is Jesus that came into the world according to John 1:9 is shining very bright while calling people to believe. In fact, the light that is shining is another reason why Jesus came to earth. Jesus says in verse 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.[1] John 12:46
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
You see because of this light that was shining bright many people were believing in Jesus. So much so that the chief priest wanted to put Lazarus to death. John 12:10
So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,
This enthusiasm and bright light continue to shine as Jesus enters Jerusalem. In verse 12 it says 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” [2] John 12:12-13
The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
This enthusiasm that all stimed from the raising of Lazarus even got the attention of those who were not Jews. Starting in verse 20 we see that there were some Greeks or people who where not Jews who also wanted to believe in Jesus.
This is a critical moment in the ministry of Jesus. By Jesus accepting these non Jews it shows that Jesus ministry was about to go in a different direction. Jesus was now showing his commitment to men and women who were not Jewish. This commitment to accept all people was the last straw for the Jewish leaders and would be what ultimately got him killed.
Although the reason why Jesus came to earth is to be light according to verse 46. In chapter 12 I believe there is a bigger over arching theme that emerges. This theme has everything to do with the Glory of God. The verb glory appears 23 times in the book of John and the noun glory appears eighteen times. There is no getting around it that John focuses on the Glory of God through the life and teachings of Jesus.
Let’s look back a a few verses and see how this theme of Glory plays out in this chapter.
As Jesus is entering Jerusalem starting in verse 12 we see that Jesus road into town on a donkey. We understand why is did this because of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, but this act of humility and sacrifice confused the disciples until Jesus was glorified. John 12:14-16 Notice verse 16 its says His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. [3]
And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.
The next time we see the Glory of God is in verse 23. John 12:23 After the non Jewish people came to Jesus he says to them, 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.[4]
And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
In this verse we see that the mention of Glory is a reference to the cross. This becomes obvious in the following verses, where Jesus described how a grain of wheat must fall to the earth and die before it can bear fruit.
The next mention of Glory is found in the prayer of Jesus starting in verse 27. 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. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”[5] John 12:27-28.
“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.
Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
Are you seeing a pattern to all of these glory passages? In this passage like the others was primarily a reference to the cross. Jesus had glorified the father by everything that had said and done in his life, but the greatest glory would be done in a matter of days, when Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead.
Here very quickly we have seen the glory of God revealed in this chapter but what is the significance of this glory for us? John 12:13-26
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.
The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness.
The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.
So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.
So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
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.
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Woven through what Jesus said in this chapter about himself and God’s glory, we find a clear and direct message for us and how this issue of glory is to affect our lives. Jesus told His disciples, starting in verse 23 that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. He then explained the necessity of his death in verse 24 when he said 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.
Then after his explanation he says, 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. [6]
What Christ is trying to communicate to his disciples was that he was about to be glorified by dying on the cross. But in the same way they to would be able to receive eternal life and reveal God’s glory when they allow their pride, selfishness and love for this world to die for the sake of obedience to God.
In chapter 12 of the book of John the Glory of God is on full display. Hence, why so many people were believing in him. In this chapter and throughout the book Jesus demonstrates for us repeatedly that the glory of God is best seen in humble actions. Unfortunately, these humble actions led him to the cross.
So what is the purpose of focusing in on the glory of Christ and God in this chapter. It’s important because through the life of Jesus he is demonstrating for us and showing us the importance of Glorifying God today.
For us today God’s glory is best seen in us similar to how it was seen in Christ. God’s glory is best seen in us today in loving & sacrificial acts of service.
The question for us today is; how are we glorifying God? How are we letting his light shine in a dark world? Let me suggest that it may not be as hard as some make it out to be. The Glory of God can be seen when:
· A mother loving cares for her children
· When someone cares for an elderly parent pr neighbor
· When someone takes the time to listen to someone who is hurting
· When a person chooses to be faithful and loving to their spouse
· When someone gives help to someone in need.
These are just a few ways that we can glorify God today. Because Christ has shown us the true glory of God by dying for us we to must show others the Glory of God today.
How will you glorify God today, this week, this month, and all throughout your life?
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 12:46). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 12:12–13). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 12:16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 12:23). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 12:27–28). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 12:23–26). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.