JOHN 12:17-33: [BIBLE READING]
The events and words of which we are about to read came to pass and were spoken in the darkness of a great shadow
This great shadow was that of a Cross – not just any old Cross
(the horrors of which defy description) but the Cross upon which
the Son/God would bear on His own body the sin/world
In his interesting autobiography, Albert Pierrepoint (British
hangman) tells how he was most anxious that those condemned to
die should not even hear the scaffold being assembled
Although committed to his work, Pierrpoint tried to avoid any unneeded and extra distress to the one appointed to die
Jesus was fully aware of each/every detail of His own death
He did not spare Himself in any of the details/events
These events took place during His last week before the Cross
Right up to the last night, it was still full steam ahead
Lets take up the reading here at v17
John 12:17 The people
therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave,
and raised him from the dead, bare record.
Hearkens back to the very momentous event/previous chapter
There, Christ miraculously brought Lazarus back to life again
Arguably hailed as the greatest of Christ’s miracles
Certainly the impact of it received greater coverage
[i] Here we read that those who saw it bear record
How could they not? Lazarus had lay dead for 4 long days
He was brought forth from the grave to enjoy good health again
This was no reviving but to die a few hours later
[ii] Another indication of the importance/authenticity of this miracle is seen in the reaction of the enemies/gospel to it:
v10-11 where the Pharisees consulted to kill Lazarus
Many believed on Christ after this event
Without being reduced to a numbers game, yet we can see how this event could have been turned around by the Pharisees
If they could prove it to be a sham, then the great crowd who professed faith would turn into Christ’s bitterest enemies
But they knew themselves that it (and other miracles) was no sham: They are on record as saying so (John 11:47)
Therefore they resort to scheming to murder Lazarus
However, the word was getting out
This helped hasten the death/Christ (John 11:57)
Towards which (as indicated) these events hurry us on
John 12:18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
This record did not fall idly to the ground
It did not grow weary either by time nor by persecution
Word is out that those who knew where Christ was must tell the Pharisees- but these people disregarded it
This encourages me no end
Truth is marching on, sweeping away all opposition
Humanly speaking, we may almost despair/poor reception which the gospel gets in this post whatever-you-want-to-call it age
Hell seems to be undergoing a revival and it will increase as the end times overtake us
Toleration levels are sinking fast and soon a dear price may well be paid for the things we take freely for granted now
But do not fret yourself for the success of the gospel
God makes the mountain to become a plain
He that sits in the Heavens laughs in derision at their opposition
Nothing can ultimately hinder the onward march of the gospel
God reaches His own set quotas every day without fail
The Lord added daily/church such as should be saved (Acts 2:47)
Just as these people came then, the sinner should come now
The miracle itself is no less convincing as it was then
Miracle was given for a reason back then i.e. to help authenticate the timeless message/gospel (Hebrews 2:4)
We know that if people will not heed Moses/Prophets (i.e. Bible) then neither will they be persuaded by a miracle (Luke 16:31)
But where the God sent miracle is despised (v37-41) we find
(v37-41) such becomes the cause/a judicially enforced blindness
It is not for us to look for miracles done today
Time does not make this miracle/Lazarus redundant
The word of the Lord endureth for ever (1 Peter 1:25)
John 12:19 The Pharisees
therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing?
behold, the world is gone after him.
Here we have the enemies/gospel in complete disarray
From early days, they had sought to frustrate the Saviour
They had sought to twist His words and bring Him into disrepute
There was not a trick in the book they had not played
Yet they (in their own very words) prevailed nothing
This tells us wonders about the power of the gospel
Even its most malignant foes cannot stop/or really even hinder it
Even from his prison cell, Paul could say/triumph: These things have fallen out rather for the furtherance/gospel
The gospel is still flourishing in China and North Korea
Stalin and Hitler (modern examples) could not stamp it out
They had at their disposal the most ruthless and efficient terror
machines known to man and yet the secret presses kept rolling to keep
the gospel spreading far and wide
Is such a gospel not worth believing?
Does it success not give us a hint that it is to be believed?
I admit that this is not my first/strongest argument
But it cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand either
Who are the world in this text?
[i] Perhaps it is a reference to the fact that they seemed to availing nothing in their fight against Him
[ii] Perhaps refers (exaggerated form) to the vast crowds (some estimate as high as 3million) who came to Jerusalem/Passover
[iii] I tend to interpret it by the next two verses:
v20 And there were certain
Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: v21 The
same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and
desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. v:22 Philip cometh
and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
The world here is a reference to those who were not of Judea
These “certain Greeks” (or Gentiles) were proselytes to the Jewish faith -they had come to worship (not sightsee)
This is important because it tells us how to translate the word “world” as it often appears in the Bible
It refers to the Gentiles as well as the Jews
Therefore when 1 John 2:2 declares that Christ was a propitiation not for our sins only, but the whole world, then it is John saying that both Jew and Gentile are covered
You can understand here (although inexcusable) the utter frustration of the Pharisees as they oppose Christ
Bad enough that the home grown Jews should marvel at Him
Worse again (in their view) when the proselytes should come also
The Pharisees compassed sea and land to make converts and here is their greatest enemy (by choice) receiving those converts
We can only imagine their utter despair on the Day/Pentecost when again
many proselytes more came and were converted and took the gospel back
to the corners of the Roman Empire
Their request is significant:
It shows that the type could not hold their attention:
[i] Ultimately it was not designed to but was a signpost to point them
away to the great Anti-type i.e. Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7)
[ii] The Passover (as it stood as a type) could not wash away their
sins – it only acknowledged them but was powerless to remove them
in a permanent manner
Notice that they had no desire to see the disciples
Although they are cautious/approach (perhaps for practical purposes for
there are no doctrinal reasons that forbade a direct approach)
yet their request is as solid as it is short – they wanted to see
Jesus and (in effect) Him only
He is the One to whom the law/prophets gave witness (Acts 10:43)
They were reading about Him in their OT Scriptures
His fame had gone before…now they were anxious to see Him
Their request was granted, because the Lord never turns away the anxious enquirer after him:
No matter how far they come
No matter how insignificant they are
No matter how personally vile their sins/lives
Him that cometh unto me,. I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37)
John
12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son
of man should be glorified. v24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except
a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if
it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Our Lord’s response here reminds us of that to Nicodemus
Similar pattern: An interested party needs to learn some basic truths
Neither party are feted for their interest
Do they know what it means to be a true follower/Jesus Christ?
If not…they are about to learn the rough/ready facts
Before He gets to hard facts, Christ speaks of His own death
The hour is come that Christ should be glorified i.e. death/Cross
That which the world (Jew/Gentile) disowns…we must own
Not only own, but glory in as Paul did later (Galatians 6:14)
Christ calls upon the illustration/nature to show His death
He is the corn/wheat falling to the ground to die
Failure to do so means no harvest
No salvation for sinners outside of Christ’s atoning death
But if the corn die – there will be a harvest later on
Christ’s death ensures a harvest of redeemed souls
Nothing happening here outside of the revealed will/God
Let us see the nature/salvation as the Lord develops/theme:
John
12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his
life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. v26 If any man
serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my
servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Our Lord is not teaching here salvation by human sacrifice or human endeavour or anything of a human nature
Salvation has always been by grace through faith alone
Christ paid it all on the Cross
Nothing done before, during or after conversion atones/soul
If salvation is not 100% of grace, then it is not salvation
What the Lord is pointing out here is the price/discipleship
It is not easy to be a Christian in a world that hates Christ
Has Christ Himself not spoken about His own crucifixion?
Even as He is talking to them, the religious establishment rage
Listen to Paul describe his Christian experience:
I
am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20)
This is the life to which Christ calls His people
Those who are not ready to run (as it were) the gauntlet will not prove to be fruitful or successful Christians
Two things to bear in mind here:
As Paul points out – we don’t do this in our own strength
The reward is infinite greater than any human loss
John
12:27-30 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me
from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father,
glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have
both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore,
that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An
angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not
because of me, but for your sakes.
What were the thoughts of these Greeks as Jesus spoke?
We are not told, but I would imagine a large element/surprise
As they contemplate the price/discipleship, the Lord turns the attention back to Himself and His own suffering
No pulling back on His part!
Is it not significant that at this time, a voice comes from heaven
What a voice! What a message it carries!
What a reason why Heaven so spoke!
No so much for Christ – but for those whom He would save
You can really trust the Lord with your soul
This is the only road to salvation and glory – Heaven says so
John
12:31-33 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of
this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will
draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Much could be said here: Suffice to say this:
There is a drawing of all men to Christ
Sinner needs to say "Why not me?”
All should flee to Him for their salvation
No reason even for a strong Devil to keep any back: Come!
THE END