Preoccupied to Death (John 12:29-50)

Notes

We care about what people think of us. We are scared lest someone make fun of us or ridicule us for not being cool.

Why is this so? We are preoccupied with ourselves. We think about ourselves. Therefore what people think about us is important because then we know where we are. If they say we are cool, then we are cool. If they say we are not cool, then we say that’s not true. I am cool. And we’re angry at everyone for being stupid.

That’s why when Jesus comes along there is a huge conflict. Because He calls us to deny ourselves and pick up our cross and follow Him.

We get scared for ourselves. We think what will people think of me? They are going to think that I am a weirdo. That’s why we don’t witness for Jesus, too. They are going to think I am a complete numpty.

The real question is: what does God think about you?

And what will you do in the last judgment if you don’t have Christ to save you? This world is temporary. The offer of salvation is temporary.

Instead of being preoccupied with ourselves, we should be preoccupied with God.

I’m reading in John 12 from verse 29.

1. The people are still confused, and Jesus hides Himself.

A. Jesus has just said, “Now is the time for Me to be glorified, now My soul is troubled, but what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” And the Father answers Jesus!

B. Notice that the crowd doesn’t really understand even though Jesus said the Father spoke for their sakes. Some think the voice was thunder, a sound. Others say, no, man, that was an angel! But none of them understand it was the voice of God.

C. Jesus continues, now is judgment upon this world, now is the ruler of this world cast out, and how? By Him being lifted up.

D. The crowd understands Him, that He means He is going to be executed. They don’t ask about judgment, about who is the ruler of this world, they say, wait a sec! Scripture says the Messiah is supposed to remain forever. You say the Son of Man is supposed to die — And they are confused. Which one are You? Is the Messiah the same as the Son of Man, or not, or ... what?!

E. Jesus doesn’t answer the question. He doesn’t clear up the confusion. He says you only have the Light for a little while longer. Walk while you have the Light so that darkness does not overtake you. Lay hold of you, seize you, be the victor over you.

1. When you have a light and you stay with that light, go where the light goes, you stay in the light.

2. But when you stay where you are or go another way, the light keeps going on its way, but you are not with the light now. The darkness increases around you, it envelops you. You can’t see anymore. You don’t know where you’re going.

3. Jesus’ command is while you have the Light, believe in the Light, trust in the Light, commit yourself to that Light. Follow where the Light goes. Stick with the Light.

4. The result is that you yourself will not be seized by the darkness and be enveloped by darkness. You will actually be the light yourself. You can never be in the darkness. You will always be in the Light.

5. Jesus is the Light of the world, and He said in the Sermon on the Mount, you are the light of the world. Here’s how that becomes a reality: receive Jesus into your life, follow Jesus, commit to Him, walk in the same direction as Jesus. Where I am, there will My servant be also.

F. Jesus explains none of this. He hides Himself. John goes on to explain why:

2. This is a fulfillment of Scripture because God knew in advance that people would not trust in Jesus.

A. Isaiah 53:1 This whole chapter is Messianic, and it begins with this statement of unbelief.

1. To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Everyone. Arm refers to power. God’s power has been revealed publicly to everyone. Healing sick, giving sight to blind, feeding thousands, causing storms to cease, wisdom that no one can resist, raising the dead. These are miracles only God could do. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.

2. Lord, who has believed our report? Is there anyone? The expected answer is “nobody”.

3. John is saying, here is the fulfilment of this prophecy: No one would believe the Messiah in spite of divine miracles.

B. Why didn’t they believe? Because God hardened them in judgment.

1. This is from Isaiah 6, where Isaiah saw God in the temple. John says Isaiah saw Jesus and His glory and spoke of Him.

2. So Jesus Himself tells Isaiah that He will blind their eyes and close their ears lest they turn and be healed. It’s a judgment.

C. The judgment is explained in v. 42. They loved the approval of men rather than God.

1. Here are even rulers of the Jews believing in Jesus because of the signs He was performing, that no one except God could do. But they were afraid to confess Jesus.

2. They thought, what will happen to me if I confess Jesus, if I buck the Pharisees and say, He is from God, I’m following Him? What will it cost me? I’ll lose face. My dignity, my prestige, I’ll be ridiculed, thrown out of the synagogue, excommunicated. What will my family say? Will my parents declare me dead and disown me?

D. They didn’t ask the question: what will God think of me for rejecting His Messiah? What will He say to me when I stand before Him? There I am, Jesus Almighty God is at the right hand of the Father in glory, and the Father asks me, “Why didn’t you follow My Messiah? You knew He came from Me. But you kept your mouth shut. Explain yourself.” It’s so obvious now that it’s all over. But back then I was absorbed with myself. Then all I could think about was my dignity. My good reputation. I would have been humiliated. That is nothing compared to the humiliation I am feeling right now before the throne of God.

E. The salvation God offers is eternal. The offer of salvation is temporary. The offer of salvation is for a time only, and then God is done. He will respond with hardening the heart, and a person cannot believe. God has rejected the one who rejects Him.

3. People who refuse Jesus and His words are really guilty.

A. Jesus represents God exactly. In modern language, Jesus is the attorney for the Father. The Father appointed Jesus and gave Him authority to speak and act for the Father. So when Jesus speaks, it is the Father speaking.

B. Jesus coming into the world is the light of the Father. And the Father wants to save people from the grasp and the domain of darkness.

C. Jesus doesn’t condemn anyone. He’s not against you because the Father is not against you.

D. But there is one who will judge on the last day.

1. There will most certainly be the last judgment. The final sentencing of people and angels who sinned against the Father will be carried out.

2. Jesus said every sin and blasphemy even against Himself would be forgiven men, but rejecting Jesus and His words will not be forgiven because it is the Father speaking through Jesus. This is My beloved Son, He speaks for Me, hear Him!

3. You respond to Jesus, you respond to the Father. And if you reject Jesus, you are rejecting the Father. There is no forgiveness for that.

4. Jesus is at the other end of the spectrum of relationship with God.

A. His life is not about being preoccupied with Himself, it’s having His attention wholly engaged and occupied with the Father. I didn’t speak on My own initiative, but the Father gave Me a commandment. He’s God! But He submits Himself completely to the Father.

B. Jesus says, I know that His commandment is eternal life. Imagine what this commandment means:

1. I appoint You, Jesus, to accurately represent Me on the earth.

2. I want You to give up being the Most High. I want You to be born as a human being. You will begin as a fertilized ovum. You will gestate for nine months. You will be born in hard labor. You will grow up for 30 years.

3. I want You to proclaim the kingdom of God, that people everywhere should repent and be saved from this gross darkness.

4. I want You to heal people, feed them, cast out demons, raise the dead, preach the good news. You will speak the most gracious words of all time.

5. No one will commit to You. No one will thank You. They will love themselves and be occupied with their dignity and reputation. You will be hated and despised. They will find an excuse, condemn You, and execute You. You will die under My wrath against all sin for all time. You will provide an opportunity for those people to be redeemed from their sins.

6. I will raise You from the dead and exalt You above every name to be the Most High once again.

7. Can you imagine this is what the Father commanded Jesus to do?

C. Jesus says, I know that His commandment is eternal life. Whatever He is commanding Me to do is going to result in eternal life. Even if it is to the death. I humble Myself and willingly give Myself to the Father.

D. Jesus does not think like we do. He is not focused on Himself, what’s in it for Him, how do people think about Him? That is nothing. He is completely focused on the Father. He seeks the glory that comes only from the Father.

5. What is this all leading to? Let’s make it real clear.

A. This world is a temporary place by its very nature. It had a beginning. It will end.

B. This world will end in judgment. God is going to judge everyone in the world for their sins against Him. He is going to destroy the devil so that he can’t kill, lie, and destroy anymore.

C. How do we know this is coming? Because the Bible says the end is coming. And Jesus said the judgment is coming. How do we know the Bible is true? Because Isaiah wrote that when Jesus came the first time no one would believe Him. That they would kill Him. That was fulfilled.

D. So we continue to encourage everyone: Jesus doesn’t judge you. He knows your sins but the Father sent Him, and He came to save you.

E. You receive Him, you receive His words. He will take you out of the darkness and fill you with His light. You become a son or daughter of light. You don’t have to be trapped in the dark, not know where you are going.

F. But this offer is temporary. The offer is open to you but you don’t know how long it will stay open. God can decide that’s the end for you and harden your heart. Why should you hesitate? Because of what people will think of you for receiving Jesus? Jesus says plainly all men will hate you because of My name. If they hated Me, they will hate you.

G. You should be more worried of what God thinks of you. His opinion of you is the only opinion that counts. He does not want to judge you. He would rather save you. Why will you die? He is calling to you through Jesus and through me. Listen to His voice. Come and receive Jesus. Come out of darkness into His marvellous light.

H. To the Christians, this is a time to be preoccupied with Jesus. Here at the end of all things, do you know Jesus? Are you caught up with His glory? As we celebrate Communion we have an opportunity to think on how wonderful He is.

Let’s pray.