Christ Crucified

INTRODUCTION

We are fast approaching Easter.

After the raising of Lazarus, Jesus travels to Jerusalem for Passover.

In the city, observant Jews gather to participate in the feast and worship God.

There is also Greeks present.

These Greeks would have been gentiles who were open to the God of Israel and followed the Jewish religion.

However, their gentile status would have kept them from participating fully in the feast.

These are the ones who, in turn, are seeking Jesus out in verse 20.

Philip and Andrew go and tell Jesus that the Greeks are seeking him—a stark contrast to the authorities who are seeking to arrest Jesus (11:57).

These Greeks want to see him; they wish to meet him and learn from him.

Jesus begins to speak of his death, recognizing that it is fast approaching.

When He is lifted up upon the cross, he will draw all people to himself (12:32).

Not only Jews but gentiles too will be drawn to God.

John 12:20–22 (CSB)

20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival.

21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”

22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

It is now the Sunday before the crucifixion.

As the day of the crucifixion is quickly approaching, Jesus has a lot to do in the time before His death.

Today we will examine three aspects of the crucifixion of Jesus as we seek to deepen our understanding of what happened and why.

Let's turn to verses 23-27 to being or examination today.

John 12:23–27 (CSB)

23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24 Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.

25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour.

SERMON

I. The reason.

A group of Greeks, not Greek-speaking Jews but Gentiles, have come to Jerusalem for the Passover for worship.

At this point, Jesus faces a crucial decision.

Surely he knows that his teachings have universal application and appeal (remember, he claimed to be the "Light of the World," 8:12).

Here is an opportunity to move beyond the resistant nation of Israel and perhaps find a more receptive audience with a door open to worldwide exposure.

At an earlier point in his ministry, Jesus may have welcomed this break, but now it is a temptation that must be resisted, for the time for public teaching is over.

Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause, John, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1998), Jn 12:23–26.

Instead of fielding questions from the group, Jesus starts to talk to them about His death.

Jesus starts by saying that the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Jesus is speaking of the fact that His time to die for the sins of the world is approaching quickly.

I find it interesting that Jesus speaks of His death as glorification.

He uses such terms when speaking of His death has to do with the reason for His death.

In verse 24, Jesus explains that when a seed falls to the ground and dies, it dies alone.

However, once it dies, that seed produces much fruit.

Life comes from death.

Jesus will die so He can bring life out of death.

I find it interesting that Jesus goes from talking about death and how life springs forth from death to the peril of loving one's life.

We will touch on that in a moment.

The point Jesus will make with the disciples is that He wants them to gain something from His obedience and self-sacrifice.

To make this point, Jesus offers a series of three paradoxes (a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but, in reality, expresses a possible truth).

The first one we already have touched on.

Seeds become production or fruitful when they die.

When a grain of wheat produces a mature wheat plant with a head full of grain, the original seed no longer exists.

Life comes from death. (College Press Commentary Series)

In God's economy, life comes from death!

The second paradox is the one we started on; to hold on to life too selfishly will result in losing it!

In this conversation, Jesus gives us the why of his death and its coming result.

In verse 25, Jesus says, "Whoever loves his life loses it." The Greek word translated "lose" is apollymi, "to destroy, to put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to ruin"

(Outline of Biblical Usage, s.v. "G622, apollymi," https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G622&t=KJV).

Those who cling to their own life won't just get lost spiritually; they will completely destroy themselves.

Love of self is self-destructive behavior.

We're talking about the love of self isn't having a positive attitude or healthy self-esteem but rather the self-centered love that has been at the root of all sin since Adam and Eve decided to do what they wanted instead of obeying God in the garden of Eden.

That's why Jesus had to die: to set us free from the love of self so we can love and obey God and be saved.

The result of Jesus's death is life for those who believe.

And not just life in the here and now—though that is a big part of it—but eternal life (v. 25).

If you are self-centered and put yourself first, you will destroy yourself, but if you sever that attachment to yourself (hate your life) and live for Jesus, you will live forever.

On the occasion of their 30th wedding anniversary, a group of friends asked Kathleen about the secret of her marital success.  She smiled knowingly and replied, “It’s because we have so much in common… we both love the same man.” Wind and Fire, Bruce Larson, 1984, p.105

And the good news is that this isn't limited to one set or group of people.

Jesus clarifies: He is drawing all kinds of people to himself.

When the grain of wheat that is his life dies on the cross, a great crop of new life in Christ will sprout out of the earth.

When life becomes all about me, I am missing what Jesus is trying to teach!

In God's economy, it is only by spending life that we gain true life.

The third paradox is that the correct attitude toward life should be demonstrated by service to Jesus (and to God).

It is the one who serves the Lord who will be honored by God.

In God's economy, greatness comes only by service!

Jesus knows He is about to face the most challenging thing He has faced.

He is troubled but determined to carry out the work.

Let's turn to verses 28-33

John 12:28–33 (CSB)

28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”

30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for me, but for you.

31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

32 As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.”

33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he was about to die.

II. The approval.

The crucifixion of Jesus is the seventh sign in the Gospel of John.

The signs are ways we can see God at work through Jesus for our salvation, and of all the seven signs, it is the clearest one showing God at work for our salvation.

The work He is doing is painful but necessary, and out of it, God is glorified (v. 28), Judgment is rendered (v. 31), and people are drawn to God through Jesus (v. 32).

The atmosphere must have been highly charged and full of tension at this point.

As a result of the resisted temptation to turn to the Greeks, Jesus publicly gives an emotional presentation of his inner turmoil.

This pressure is relieved by the audible voice of God, "I have glorified it [God's name] and will glorify it again."

God has not abandoned Jesus but instead gives heavenly approval to the obedient course of action to which he has committed himself.

Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause, John, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1998), Jn 12:27–28.

Verse 29 tells us that the crowd heard the voice but thought it to be thunder; some thought an Angel had spoken.

Jesus explains that the voice came for the benefit of the crowd.

God was confirming all that Jesus had already stated.

Jesus now defines this crucial time in three ways.

First, HE tells us it is the time for judgment on this world.

The coming death of Jesus will be a crisis for this world, punctuating the point of the depth of human depravity.

The murder of Jesus exposes this wickedness.

As far as the world is concerned, unbelieving humanity has rejected Jesus, Son of God!

Next, this will be the time for the prince of darkness will be cast out!

The crucifixion will not be a victory for Satan, but rather, a defeat!

By the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus, humanity's bondage to sin can be broken!

Satan himself will be judged and condemned for eternity!

And finally, this is a time for Jesus to be lifted up from the earth!

So there is no misunderstanding as to the meaning of this phrase, John informs us that this is a metaphor for Jesus’ death by crucifixion.

But rather than withdraw in horror, the terrible/wondrous death of Jesus will draw all men to him.

The statement is hyperbolic, not absolute, for we know in the Gospel of John itself that not all become believers.

Jesus’ demonstration of love will become a powerful draw to all who look upon his life without prejudice.

Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause, John, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 1998), Jn 12:30–32.

Let's move to verses 34-36

John 12:34–36 (CSB)

34 Then the crowd replied to him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”

35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going.

36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.

III. The effect.

The crowd is confused concerning their misguided understanding of the Messiah.

At this point, we face a significant turning point.

Jesus had entered Jerusalem as thousands cheered His arrival as a king!

Now, Jesus is talking about death and exhalation.

The crowd wants to know His plans for national liberation!

They thought the Messiah would sit on the throne in Jerusalem and bring Israel back to its former glory under Kings David and Solomon.

The crowd is showing a great misunderstanding of Daniel 7:14

Daniel 7:14

Daniel 7:14 (CSB)

He was given dominion

and glory and a kingdom,

so that those of every people,

nation, and language

should serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion

that will not pass away,

and his kingdom is one

that will not be destroyed.

Jesus ignores the question and goes right for the effect of His coming.

The coming darkness will overwhelm them; their only hope is to follow the light of Jesus!

If they believe in and follow Jesus, they will be able to resist this dark spiritual oppression because they will be children of light!

CONCLUSION

Our application point for this message is: The signs in John show us that God is active in the world; now God calls us to be His sign to those around us.

Jesus died because we have chosen to follow our own path, indulge in our own desires, and reject the life God has created all of us to live.

Jesus, the selfless, died for selfish humanity.

If the story ended here, we would face another sad tale of a selfless man who willingly gave up His life for others.

Next week, we will see the story does not end there!

Join us on Resurrection Sunday!