Intro. In chapter 11, we saw the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus. At the beginning of chapter 12, Jesus is anointed, and He declares that Mary did this for His coming death.
I. A Visitation that was Desired - vs. 21-26 The Gentiles come and seek an audience with Him.
A. A Strong Request - vs. 21 - they wanted to be admitted into his presence, to have some discourse and conversation with him
1. They were Strangers - Gentiles
- They Probably participated in the Triumphal entrance of Jesus
- They had heard of the Miracles
- They had heard of Lazarus
2. They were Serious - When it says that they “desired him”, it meant that they repeatedly asked Philip to let them meet with Jesus.
3. They were Sincere - Greeks had many Gods, (Acts 17:23 - Greeks had an altar to the Unknown God) but they had turned away from them to the true God - and now they wanted to know Jesus.
No one will enter heaven unless they have turned form everything else and trusted Christ with a sincere heart. Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation".
B. A Shy Reaction - vs. 22 (Philip, Greek name, possibly why they came to him)
He went and asked Andrew for help!
1. Andrew knew what to do - In John 6, it was Andrew who told Jesus that there was a lad who had his lunch with him. That was his response after Philip reacted!
2. Andrew knew how to introduce Jesus to others - John 1:40 "One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ".
C. A Settled Response -vs. 23 - He is sure, so I can be too!
This is the response of Jesus to the Gentiles desire to see Him!
1. Ready for His Time
Before Jesus had said - My time has not yet come, but not now - It was time for Him to begin the Journey during the next week to the cross. He had already explained to them that the world would not take His life. John 10:17 "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father".
2. Revealing of His Truth - Came to die - Daniel 7:14 "And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed".
II. A View that would not be Dimmed - vs. 27-28
A. His Condition - He was troubled. The weight of Gethsemane was already coming, but not that strong yet. He was troubled, not yet sorrowful. He was beginning to feel the pressure of the hour that would come.
B. His Concern - In His humanity, he asked for protection to get to the cross. He never asked not to go to the cross, rather confessed that is why He had come!
1. The Attacks - Birth, Temptation, and more was coming.
2. The Anxiety - He would have all of my sin upon Him. He would be separated from His Father.
3. The Allowance - He would lay aside His authority to DIE!
C. His Cause - for this cause came I into the world!
1. Jesus was a great humanitarian, but that was not his cause.
- He did good to all around Him by grace, but not his main focus.
2. Jesus was a great debater, but that was not his cause.
- The Pharisees could not trick him, but those debates were not his focus.
3. Jesus was a great leader - but the first time He came, that was not his main cause - HE CAME TO GO TO CALVARY!
D. His Concentration
1. He Looked toward the Father- vs. 28- His desire! Father, glorify thy Name.
2. He Looked toward the People - vs. 30 (one more chance to believe).
E. His Confirmation - A voice came from heaven. Happened 3 times.
1. When Jesus went Down into Jordan (the beginning of ministry).
2. When Jesus came Down from the Mountain (peak of ministry).
3. When Jesus prepared to go Down to Death (the purpose of ministry).
All confirmed Jesus, not for His benefit, but man’s! He is GOD!
III. A Victor that would not be Defeated - vs. 31-33
A. The Vanquishing of the Enemy - vs. 31
1. His Kingdom would be Defeated (judgment of this world).
2. His Presence would be Rejected - cast out - Rev 12:10 "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night".
B. The Victory of the Savior - vs. 32-33
- The Cross - it is apparent Rev 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death".
The Presence of the Blood - Death hell and the grave defeated.
- Covered by the blood, the enemy is already defeated! Col 1:13 "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
- The Power of Christ - the Victor Romans 8:37 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".
IV. A Vision that would remained Darkened - vs. 34-41
A. The Hearts of Doubt - vs. 34 - “We have heard” they literally said Jesus could not be the Messiah, denying that Christ would die and who is this Son of man
B. The Hopelessness of Darkness - vs. 35-36
1. They had rejected the Light they had! They saw no light in Christ, so their demise would be the darkness!
2. They were rejected by the Light - vs. 36 NOTICE CLOSELY
When they rejected Christ, JESUS SPOKE, JESUS DEPARTED, and JESUS HID. They never had another chance! Jesus did not hide until they had rejected. Thank God for second chances, but today’s chance could be your last!
Concl. Our text is a tale of two Eye Exams! Some said - Sir, We would see Jesus!
Others said, - vs. 34 “How sayest thou?” They refused to see.
One group would see, the others would never see!
