Fulfilling Your Purpose - John 12:20-36

©Copyright May 30, 2021 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche

James Montgomery Boice tells a story from all the churches in which he had preached. He said there are different kinds of pulpits. Some are plain. Some are ornate. Some have steps leading up to them. Some have numerous wires or various microphones. Some have instructions and buttons. One had a note that said, “When the red light goes on you have 2 minutes.” But his favorite was a note to the Pastor from the congregation that simply, “We wish to meet Jesus.” This is the true motive for sincere worship. We should have as a primary desire to meet Jesus.

This morning we look at that same desire but in a different context. We see an account of some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover. It is possible these Greeks were “God-fearers,” which were Gentiles who embraced the beliefs of Judaism. It is also possible they were in the Temple when Jesus chased out the moneychangers. This is a man they wanted to meet. So, they came to talk to Philip who was from Bethsaida where archaeology has concluded there was a Gentile population along with the Jewish population. This means Philip was likely conversant in Greek. Andrew was also from Bethsaida.

Presumably, Philip and Andrew went to Jesus with the request. We don’t know what happens because it appears Jesus took the conversation in an entirely different direction. Was He talking to the Greeks? Did He ignore the Greeks? We don’t know. What we do know is what He said.

23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

You Need to Die Before You Can Live

When Jesus said, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory” the disciples and those who followed surely began to get excited. They expected He would soon take the throne and overthrew the Romans, restoring Israel to a prominent position in the world (as in the days of David and Solomon). They were not expecting Jesus to die.

Jesus explained: a kernel of wheat (or corn) needs to be planted in the ground for it to grow Jesus says it must “die” before it can grow. But when it dies it bears new kernels. We see this acted out every single year in the planting season. Corn and Soybeans are buried in the ground (seeming to be the end of the seed) but that very “end” is what leads to each year’s crop.

In the same way, Jesus needed to die for us to be saved. Merely living a good life would not have been enough. Much like the seed, Jesus had to give up His life so the harvest of believers could be possible.

Of course, we talk about this over and over and the reason we do so is because people find it hard to embrace that we cannot and will not be made right with God unless the Son of God gives His life as a payment for our sin. Our debt is too great! There is no way for us to pay that debt because we are spiritually bankrupt. That is true for every one of us here! Unless someone without sin pays the price for us, we will be justly condemned.

Jesus applied this truth to our lives. He said as long as we cling to the life we have in this world, we will never be able to follow Him . . .or experience eternal life. It was Corrie ten Boom who said “we cannot receive God’s blessings unless we have open hands. We can’t have open hands unless we are willing to let go of the things of this world we cling to.”

There is the old story (which may be made up) of how to catch a monkey in the jungle. You put a jar that was attached to a rope on the ground and put a banana in the jar. The opening must be just wide enough for the hand of the monkey. When the monkey reaches in to get the banana he will grab hold of the banana and won’t be able to remove his hand from the jar. He could be free if he would simply drop the banana, but he will not let go of his prize!

We are easily entrapped by the world of sin. We can be free by opening our hands and surrendering our lives to the Lord. The problem is we want both worlds. We want the world with the Kingdom! We won’t open our hand.

When Jesus says we must care nothing about the world He is speaking comparatively. We should care about this world but not in the ultimate sense! It is like saying in a marriage ceremony that you will forsake all others and cling only to your wife. It doesn’t mean you will never talk to another woman. It means you will not devote yourself to any woman other than your wife. It is the same thing here: we must value the Lord and His Kingdom above anything this world has to offer.

It is an all or nothing proposition. You either follow Christ or you follow something else. It is as simple as that.

To Glorify God is Our Chief End

27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”

Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.

30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.

The consistent theme of Scripture is that everything exists for the glory of God. To some, that may sound egotistical or like God is a narcissist. However, God’s Glory is not about His ego. God does not need our praise. The glory of God is merely the recognition and acknowledgement of who God is. It is about people grasping the reality of the “god-ness” of God. It is seeing Him and honoring Him as the Sovereign, wise, powerful, and loving God He is. To that end . . .

God is Glorified in the Death of Jesus. Much like the real heart of the American spirit is seen in those willing to fight and die to preserve the freedoms we enjoy, so we see the profound grace, compassion and justice of God in Christ’s coming into the world. But even more we see God glorified in the Death of Jesus. Jesus does not say the cross was the prerequisite to the resurrection which brings glory to God . . . the very death of Christ brought Glory to God! In that one act we see the justice of God addressing sin and the mercy of God is saving us through Christ’s death in our place. When Christ went to the cross, we saw the grace of God in its great splendor.

R.C. Sproul wrote,

“Glorifying” always involves “revealing” or “displaying.” We glorify someone’s artwork by displaying it prominently. So what displays the true glory of the Son of Man? Jesus’ answer is his crucifixion: his self-sacrifice in making atonement for sin. All questions about the purpose, character, and glory of God were about to receive their answer. Not only was Daniel’s vision to receive its clearest explanation, but the whole Old Testament would be explained and fulfilled when Jesus took up the cross. What the world sees as the deepest humiliation, Jesus understood as his highest glory.[1]

Jesus was obedient and this brought glory to God just as our obedience (even in hard things), brings Him glory. Like Christ, we should ask the question: “Should I really ask God to take away all the hard times if those hard times become a platform to proclaim His glory?

When Dr. Boice was diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer he said, “Don’t focus your prayers on God healing me . . . pray that God’s will would be done and He would be glorified in what He is doing.” This is exactly the way we should also pray. Our greatest desire (greater than our desire for life itself) should be for the Lord to be glorified.

Jesus prayed He might glorify God’s name and then we have one of the great moments in history. A voice from Heaven said, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” I get the impression the disciples (at least John) heard and understood the voice. The crowd, however, thought they heard thunder. This reminds us that to hear from God you have to tune your heart and mind to the frequency of God’s Spirit. It requires openness and attentiveness.

God will glorify His name again through YOU, if you are willing to follow Him. A willing heart, ready to do whatever God calls you to do, will allow God to shine through you; to reveal His glory in and through you.

God will be Glorified in the Judgment to Come. In verse 31 Jesus said, “The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.” It seems strange to think of God being glorified in Judgment, but judgment points to God’s justice and fairness. A ruler who will not condemn evil and seek to eliminate corruption and injustice, is a poor leader. A Judge who does not punish criminals is a failed judge. Likewise, a God who does not bring judgment on those who refuse to submit to His authority, is not a Holy God.

God is perfect and there is no inconsistency in Him. He offers salvation to any and all who will humble themselves, confess their sin, and turn to Him for help. By the same token, those who refuse to turn to Him, or do so only superficially, will face the just consequences of those choices. In this, God reveals Himself to be a fair and just Judge.

God will also be Glorified in Drawing Everyone to Him. This may sound somewhat trite and insignificant, but it is not. God revealed Himself through the Jews. They were/are called His Chosen People. Jesus says that His death will draw everyone to Himself. The work Jesus did on the cross was for more than just the Jews, it was also for those Greeks and for you and me!

When the text says He will draw “everyone to Himself” it does not mean every single person. It means people from every tribe and nation. There will be some people who turn away from Him and even become hostile to Him. As we have already said, such people will face judgment. It is His job to determine who these people are . . . not ours.

The indication that a person is one of those who is drawn to Christ is:

They recognize and embrace who Jesus truly is (God in human flesh, the only Son of God)

They recognize their own need for forgiveness and new life.

They turn to Christ as the One who alone can save them from their sin.

And they come to Him willing to follow Him and align their values with His.

The most important question of life is this one: Is that the relationship you have with Jesus? Are you willing to bet everything on Him and sacrifice anything for Him?

We Should Serve Him Like Jesus Did

34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”

35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”

I appreciated the insight of Jason Gray when he was here a little over a week ago. He pointed out that we can be so content with the order in our lives, believing this is the way things should be, that we fall in love with that order, then we protect it . . . even to the point of trying to guard it from God or any new intrusion of truth.

We see this in the people in the story. The idea that Jesus would die did not mesh with their idea of what the Messiah (or Rescuer) would be. They believed the Messiah would live forever. When Jesus tried to expand their understanding, they stood guard against that new understanding. If Jesus did not agree with what they firmly believed to be true about the Messiah, then He must be wrong. And if He is wrong, there is certainly no use in following Him.

We must all be careful of closing our mind because we have found an understanding of the truth that WE LIKE. It may come in the form of what we think the church should be, the kind of people who can become followers of Jesus, how and when the Lord will return in the Second Coming, or what we should believe about any number of secondary doctrinal issues. In fact, we need to remain open to correction (from Scripture) on even essential doctrinal issues.

For example, there are many people who believe everyone who dies goes to Heaven even though the Bible clearly says only those who put their trust in Christ will be saved; all others will face judgment.

There are people who believe wholeheartedly that if you are good enough or “do your best in life” you will be part of God’s family. However, the Bible says we will never be good enough and we can do nothing to earn our salvation. Those who believe in trying to be “good enough” are often unable to hear the message of God’s grace, His love, and His forgiveness through the cross. As a result, many spend their lives feeling they can never be saved, and God has given up on them. The Gospel message is for ANYONE who will put their trust in Christ. That includes you. However, you must come to Him not with a resume, but with a humble acknowledgment of your sin, trusting the work He did for you in giving up His life.

Jesus said,

Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”

Jesus does not tell us to believe on Him and then do what we want! He tells us we must FOLLOW Him. That is the true sign of trust. It is important that you get this straight: we are not saved because of our works. However, saved people have their hearts changed and begin to follow Jesus in the way He wants us to live. In other words, true believers will begin to live differently; doing the good things they were never truly able to do before.

Jesus said we must “die to ourselves” so we can be “alive in Him.” There is room for only one Ruler in your life. It may be your job, your desires, what is popular, money, power, acceptance and so forth, OR it can be the Lord.

George Mueller is a great example of this. He was a man of faith and trust

He became famous in nineteenth-century England for the great number of orphanages he built and maintained, all through the power of prayer. Mueller was once asked his secret. He replied: “There was a day when I died. Died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren or friends; and since then, I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.”[2]

J. C. Ryle commented:

“As the soldier follows his general, as the servant follows his master, as the scholar follows his teacher, as the sheep follows its shepherd, just so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ. Faith and obedience are the leading marks of real followers and will always be seen in true believing Christians.”[3]

So this morning I hope you have been encouraged in your faith. We have been reminded that sometimes you have to die (sometimes to yourself) in order to truly bear fruit for the Lord. The reason for this is because our goal is not to bring glory to ourselves, it is to reveal the glory of God. We are to point past ourselves to the One who was glorified in the death of Christ, the judgment of those who refuse or ignore Him, and to the universal nature of the offer of forgiveness. The gospel is not just for the Jew, the religious, the attractive, the good, or the powerful . . . it is a grace from God that levels the playing field for all of us. We all must come the same way.

Finally, we are reminded that following Christ involves altering your life to walk with Him. It is putting His will ahead of our own. It is living to honor Him and reveal Him in what we do. Is that difficult? Of course, it is! But, considering who He is and what He has done for us, it is a sacrifice we should be eager to make. And when we make that sacrifice we will finally fulfill our purpose, and find our joy, in life.

[1] Richard D. Phillips, John, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, 1st ed., vol. 2, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2014), 93. [2] Richard D. Phillips, John, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, 1st ed., vol. 2, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2014), 97. [3] Ibid 99.