A Time of Light (2)

When I arrived at the Credit Union one day, I went up to the teller to make a deposit in our account. In her usual friendly manner, she asked me how my day was. I responded with a sigh, commenting that I wished I had a few more days in the week in order to get done what I felt needed to be done. She agreed that would be helpful to most all of us.

However, as I thought about this conversation later, I reflected that the Lord gave us all the same amount of time. In fact, Jesus was a master at knowing when to relax with His friends and when to make every moment count in His work.

This morning, I plan on taking just a snippet of time from the last week of Jesus’ life on this earth. As I share with you, I believe you will find yourself somewhat amazed at Jesus’ understanding of time.

As followers of Christ, we need to recognize that the time of light is nearly gone.

The Gospel of John contains 21 chapters. We know that the triumphal entry that took place, on what we call Palm Sunday, was just five days before Christ’s crucifixion. However, John spends most of his gospel dealing with this last week and the short time following Christ’s resurrection. That is why, in looking at the triumphal entry information, we go all the way back to .

A Time of Worship - 12:12-19

John 12:1 NASB95

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

John 12:1–5 NASB95

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?”

John 12:1-Looking at the context of this passage, according to 12:1, we find Jesus has come to the home of Lazarus. In Jewish culture, according to the law given to them, the Sabbath was to be a time for worship. At this very special occasion, Mary offered some of the finest worship when she put perfume on the feet of Jesus, then wiped them with her hair. However, even while worship was occurring, we find Judas pointing out insignificant and irrelevant criticism about someone who was genuinely worshiping, complaining about her methodology.

Looking back at the context of today’s passage, we find Jesus has come to the home of Lazarus. In Jewish culture, according to the law given to them, the Sabbath was to be a time for worship. At this very special occasion, Mary offered some of the finest worship when she put perfume on the feet of Jesus, then wiped them with her hair. However, even while worship was occurring, we find Judas pointing out insignificant and irrelevant criticism about someone who was genuinely worshiping, complaining about her methodology.

Looking at the context of this passage, according to 12:1, we find Jesus is coming to the home of Lazarus. In Jewish culture, according to the law given to them, the Sabbath was to be a time for worship. At this very special occasion, Mary offered some of the finest worship when she put perfume on the feet of Jesus, then wiped them with her hair. However, even while worship was occurring, we find Judas pointing out insignificant and irrelevant criticism about someone who was genuinely worshiping, complaining about her methodology.

Too many people miss out on genuine worship because the focus is upon a person or a style or a method, rather than keeping the focus on Jesus Christ. Even though we remember a large crowd coming in hopes of seeing Jesus, sadly we discover many religious individuals who were also sour about the things of Christ and intent on destroying Jesus.

John 12:12–13 NASB95

On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.”

After a good nights sleep, Sunday comes. A large crowd comes to give honor to Jesus as He goes into the city of Jerusalem. The shouts of hosanna simply means save now, Most likely, they were probably cries for political freedom. Some of the people may have been genuine in relation to personal salvation. However, it seems more probable that people were looking to Jesus for national salvation. Yet, even here, they could not deter Jesus from doing what He had to come to do.

Just like people throughout the ages, many are not interested in heaven nor the things of God's eternal kingdom. The focus is intentionally narrow to what this life offers. Even their thoughts about Lazarus being raised from the dead were focused upon this earthly life. We see no thought given to the resurrection of Lazarus to eternal life.

We will see this even more obviously when we come toward the end of this passion week.

As I look back over these verses, the question comes as to which group we might find ourselves. Would we be amongst those who were worshiping such as Mary? Or do we sometimes slip into the group that is criticizing and self seeking, or even destroying?

The time of light was nearly gone for them and for many today.

A Time of Witness - 12:20-36

John 12:20–23 NASB95

Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

John 12:20-23In versus 20 and following, we find an incredible amount of instruction given by Jesus. Jesus did not simply bask in the moment of adulation by his admirers. He knew, that for many, they gave their admiration only in return of hopes of Him restoring their political and national freedom.

In versus 20 and following, we find an incredible amount of instruction given by Jesus. Jesus did not simply bask in the moment of adulation by his admirers. He knew, that for many, they gave their admiration only in return of hopes of Him restoring their political and national freedom.

However, there were some Greeks who were intrigued by Judaism and Jesus especially. They found themselves desiring to gain an audience with Jesus. It is to this group of Greeks, Jesus responds, according to verse 23.

Jesus relates to them that what is upcoming is what is going to bring the most glory to Himself. Raising Lazarus was nothing in comparison. Making water out of wine was no big highlight. Healing the sick and casting out demons was insignificant. All of that pales in comparison to what was about to take place. What exactly was to take place?

Very simply, Jesus was going to die and be resurrected. He describes death and resurrection in verses 24 and 25.

John 12:24–25 NASB95

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.

The grain of wheat dies, yet is resurrected to produce many more grains of weight. The one who dies to self, will live eternally. However, Jesus did not mask the fact that what lay ahead was quite troublesome. Jesus, in His humanity, knew that the cost He would have to pay for taking upon Himself the sins of the world and that it would be more horrible than anyone could ever imagine. Yet, this is why He came into the world.

Upon asking that His Father's name be glorified, God the Father spoke approval. Many people heard this. Some supposed it to be thunder. Others supposed it to be an angel speaking with Jesus. However, Jesus informed them that this voice was for their benefit. He continues on in the description of the upcoming events.

By the events that were to take place upon the cross, judgment would be executed. By what Christ would do on the cross, Satan would be completely defeated. My friends, there is no excuse for anyone to refuse to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. There is no reason for anyone to feel forced to continue living in sin. Because Jesus would take upon himself all the sins of all humanity of all time; past, present, and future. In doing so, He would offer complete forgiveness and eternal life.

When we read verse 32, we are reminded of the inclusive love of God.

John 12:32 NASB95

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”

John 12:32Even though Jesus is speaking of the fact that He will be lifted up on the cross to die, He is saying far more than that. In fact, His work on the cross will draw all men to Himself. You can just hear that collective gasp from all who were listening. Just who is listening? You and I would be quick to remember that it is the Greeks who were interested in Judaism who would come to Jesus. Jesus is informing them that it is not even in Judaism in which they can get to heaven. It is only through Him. In other words, the Greeks who were listening, now knew that they were included among those who had the opportunity to come to Jesus for salvation. Christ was going to lay down is life on the cross, providing salvation for Jews and Gentiles.

Even though Jesus is speaking of the fact that He will be lifted up on the cross to die, He is saying far more than that. In fact, His work on the cross will draw all men to Himself. You can just hear that collective gasp from all who were listening. Just who is listening? You and I would be quick to remember that it is the Greeks who were interested in Judaism who would come to Jesus. Jesus is informing them that it is not even in Judaism in which they can get to heaven. It is only through Him. In other words, the Greeks who were listening, now knew that they were included among those who had the opportunity to come to Jesus for salvation. Christ was going to lay down is life on the cross, providing salvation for Jews and Gentiles.

However, even with their knowledge of Scripture, they were somewhat confused about how God's Son, Who lives forever, would die. The response which Jesus shares reminds all of us the importance of responding to Jesus while there is still time.

Conclusion

I go back to the various groups or individuals in this passage. We find Mary who had a heart of pure worship. Then we see Judas who was critical of pure worship or different worship. We are hounded by the Pharisees who wanted to be the destroyers of the One Who was to be worshiped. We see the confused crowd, most of whom seemed self-seeking. Then we are joyously surprised by the Greeks who were inquisitive and seeking God. There needs to be a leaving behind of the mentality of the crowd and Judas and the Pharisees. There needs to be a seeking of Jesus like the Greeks. It is then that we will have the freedom to worship as Mary.

This time of year provides a marvelous opportunity for reflection on the important issues of life. All of the miracles which Jesus performed were actually quite meaningless when compared with the issue of our eternal destiny.

Think about these things. What if Jesus had not turned the water into wine? The reality is that the observers could not get to heaven any more or any less quickly if Jesus had not done this.

Or what if Jesus would not have healed lepers? The blind? The lame? Or the demonized? Would the lack of these miracles have kept people from entering heaven?

Very simply it is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ that provides salvation. It is by accepting what He did on the cross that allows us the privilege of entering heaven upon leaving this earth.

It goes back to what Paul stated about the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

If you find yourself sensing the need to make certain that you belong to Jesus Christ, I would invite you to do so today. I am so grateful that Jesus did not take his last days on earth to revel in the applause or praise from people during that triumphal entry. I praise God that Jesus, while looking to the cross, did not shrink back. He boldly proclaimed His purpose and issued the invitation for all to believe and become children of light. That invitation still goes out today.

As followers of Christ, as well as those who are still lost, we need to recognize the time of light is nearly gone.

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