John 12:20-26
Come, Follow Me • Sermon • Submitted
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Who is the King you are serving and following?
Who is the King you are serving and following?
Timeline and Background:
It’s the last 7 days of the life of Jesus on earth...Jesus just entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, to celebrate the Passover...it was a triumphal procession...people shouting and praising God
12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”
People are excited for Jesus! They are excited for a new King of Israel, who will rescue them from the Roman Rule and Oppression. At last the Kingdom of David is now with a king of the Throne!
But!
Jesus had other plans…
He is establishing the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth! A spiritual Kingdom!
He will rescue his people, not by defeating the Roman Army.
He will rescue his people by defeating SIN and DEATH!
My prayer, that as we submit ourselves to God’s Word this morning, may we be able to see and appreciate the GRACE of GOD in including us in His KINGDOM.
AND that we may become USEFUL SERVANTS in the service of our KING JESUS CHRIST.
Outline:
I. The Inclusion of Gentiles in the Heavenly Kingdom. (vv.20-22)
I. The Inclusion of Gentiles in the Heavenly Kingdom. (vv.20-22)
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21 these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus.
Why John included the “Greeks” in the narrative?
Who are these Greeks?
They were proselytes of the Jewish Religion, Although they were not Jewish by heritage, these people believed in Yahweh. They did not always abide by all Jewish practices, but they followed enough to be allowed into one of the courts of the temple.1
Example - Cornelius (The Roman centurion)
1 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.
- Italian / God Fearing. A gentile converted to Judaism, a Worshiper of Yawheh.
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21 these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
They wish to see Jesus.
Was Jesus already popular even to the Greeks?
They might have heard about Jesus and are curios.
For John, their theological symbolism is important. These God-fearers represent the “dispersed children of God” of John 11:52
52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
They are the “other sheep” of John 10:16.
16 “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.
These are foreigners who now stand ready to join the flock of Christ.
II. The Example of the King (vv.23-24)
II. The Example of the King (vv.23-24)
Jesus’ willingness to give His Life
Jesus’ willingness to give His Life
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Jesus did not directly answered the Greeks but he gave a sermon…Jesus already knew what is in the heart of those Greeks who came to him..
The “hour has come” - it signifies that something has change. The coming of the Greeks (Gentile believers) is Jesus ushering in the coming of Gentiles to the Kingdom.
To be glorified - to be honored, to be exalted, to be positively recognized
Jesus' references to His glorification in the fourth Gospel are references to His death, resurrection, and ascension.
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 explains the meaning of this hour in discourse form (24–36). He begins with a parable.
A grain of wheat is not valuable unless it becomes something else. Jesus is willing to suffer for the cause God has set before Him. He suggests that His value is substantially less if He is unwilling to follow through on God’s will.
Jesus was talking about how eternal life comes to people: through the sacrifice of the Son of Man (v. 24).
Just as a seed must “die” in order to give life, Jesus must likewise die in order to give life to the world.
This pattern applies to disciples as well (25). To relinquish your hold on life—to give it up—is the key to participation in the kingdom.
Illustration: How Jesus’ death is beneficial - It bears much fruit. Which means it brings harvest of souls - spiritual salvation - Of people reconciled to God, of people becoming heavenly citizens.
III. The Principle of the Kingdom(v25)
III. The Principle of the Kingdom(v25)
25 “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
Take note of this, Jesus is not speaking about people who are already part of the faith (though He commands them to fully love Him and others); instead, He is speaking about people who are presented with an opportunity to believe but choose not to because
- they value their lives
- possessions, or
- desires more than they value a relationship with the living God.
The principle of the Heavenly Kingdom is opposite to the Principles of the World
Self renunciation is self preservation.
Self-preservation is self destruction.
The general principle is a paradox. Death leads to life.
On another level, Jesus was speaking of how to gain the most from life now: by living sacrificially rather than selfishly.
On another level, Jesus was speaking of how to gain the most from life now: by living sacrificially rather than selfishly.
There are those who Love their sinful life - they will lose their soul
On the other hand, there are those who are afraid to follow Jesus because it would mean death for them - the Pharisees might imprisoned them or stone them to death. but truly it is the opposite. They will live 70-90 yrs in this world, but death is certain. Death will come and then they will realize their mistake.
There are those who follow Jesus over the world. That loving and following Jesus is better than loving the world. They may die because of their love for Jesus, but they will receive eternal life. Those are the elects - The sheep of God’s pasture (John 10)
Learn from the Apostle Paul...
20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
IV. The Blessedness of those who are in the service of the King (v26)
IV. The Blessedness of those who are in the service of the King (v26)
a. The honor of serving the King.
a. The honor of serving the King.
26 “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
IF - conditional statement
If any one Serves Me - the idea here is that follower of Jesus (the king) is expected to serve.
The triumphal entry to Jerusalem like a KING serves as the backdrop of this sermon given by Jesus.
- True servants stay close to their masters. He or she must go where Jesus goes and do what He does.
“The true disciple's life will essentially duplicate the experiences of his or her Lord.”
“Service at its best is worship”
The NT speaks of sacrificial living (Romans 12:1; Phil. 2:17)
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
2. Service as Worship (Heb. 12:28)
28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;
3. Service to God through GIVING (2 Cor. 9:12)
12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
4. Service in Personal Ministry (1 Tim 1:12)
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,
Evidence of faithfulness is SERVICE
26 “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Take note of the word “MUST”. To follow is a mandate, not a suggestion.
Jesus calls His followers to be His servants—people completely devoted to His work.
If one confess to be serving King Jesus - he is to follow Jesus. To follow means to behave (behavior) in agreement with the person he or she is following.
Following Jesus Christ is entering in the heavenly kingdom and in the service of the King.
Civilian entering Police - Act like a Policeman not a criminal or lawbreaker.
Following Jesus means:
1. Bearing one’s cross (Matthew 16:24)
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Repeated in Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23
“Self-sacrifice is central to following Jesus”
Following Jesus means:
2. Endurance in Suffering (1 Pet. 2:21)
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
26 “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
b. The servant is assured of salvation, in the presence of the King.
b. The servant is assured of salvation, in the presence of the King.
26 “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
- “and where I am, there My servant will be also”.
John 14:2-3
2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
Jesu comforts his disciples.
We are comforted of Jesus’ promise - “Where I am, my servant also will be”. Assurance of our union with Jesus in heaven.
c. The servant will be honored by the Father in Heaven.
c. The servant will be honored by the Father in Heaven.
26 “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
The Father will honor him - To honor means to value, you will be honored and valued in the presence of the Father. the Father will glorify him, the Father will acknowledge Him.
In the Roman period, faithful soldiers of the Emperor are honored, upon retirement they will receive apiece of land, properties, and servants for himself.
Our King Jesus, gives a much better honor than the Roman Emperor, He honors his faithful soldiers by giving eternal life, and we don’t have to wait for retirement age to receive that.
With the Emperor, you might not reach retirement age, thus, you will not be able to enjoy the benefits.
We are comforted of the honor we will receive in the presence of the Father.
Honor - value, acknowledgement, precious.
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Grace of God
We (Filipinos) are gentiles, and yet God included us in his plan of salvation.
We cannot enter the heavenly kingdom on our own because of our sin. Before we became Christians, our allegiance is to ourselves and to the corruption of the world.
We are unworthy, yet God made us worthy, through the life, death, and resurrection of our King Jesus Christ.
Proper Response
Proper Response
Christianity is marked with servanthood - Jesus set that example for us. In what way are you serving King Jesus?
Christianity is marked with self-sacrifice (dying to self). Jesus set that example for us. What are the sacrifices that King Jesus is asking you today? This week? This month?
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