Sources of Glory

When we last left Jesus, he was at a meal with Mary, Martha, Lazarus, his disciples and many more people. Mary had just opened an expensive bottle of perfume on Jesus as a way of honoring him.

The passage we’re looking at today begins the day after that. Sometimes referred to as Palm Sunday, it’s labeled in many of our bibles as “The Triumphal Entry.” Essentially, we find a large crowd (or two) accompanying Jesus into town and then conversations among the crowd and Jesus and his disciples.

As you read through this passage, there is a persistent theme that seems to come to the surface : glory.

In the original language, glory means to ascribe dignity or honor. In the OT, one of the words that we translate into glory can mean “weight” or importance.

So as we look at this passage, we’re going to consider two sources of glory - glory from humanity and glory from God. We’ll consider how Jesus responded to each, but also how we should consider our response or interaction with both as well. These sources of glory are interspersed throughout the passage so we’ll be jumping around a bit. There will be some scriptures on the screens, but feel free to follow along in your copy of scripture. As we consider both of these sources, we’ll reflect on several principles that seem to be evident in this passage.

Let’s begin where the passage begins with...

Glory from humanity

This glory from humanity is seen in a variety of ways in this passage and beyond.

First of all, we can see this glory from humanity is...

Driven by fad - initiated by emotion (12-19)

So, after hearing that Jesus was coming to town, several of the people who had seen Jesus perform the sign of raising Lazarus from the dead celebrated that sign and recognized it as a sort of fulfillment of prophecy. It seems like there is another group that comes from Jerusalem, out toward Bethany, to meet and possibly confront the mob - or at least to join in.

There is a fervor and a celebration.

This is really not unlike some of the political emotionalism and movements that we see from time to time. In the run-up to the 2008 presidential election - Barak Obama garnered huge crowds of people as they saw him as a culmination of so many hopes.

In a very similar way, large crowds gathered nation -wide in stadiums where Donald Trump was making appearances as the 2016 election approached.

Crowds have a way of riding the band wagon - or a fad.

As we think about the triumphal entry - what is the fad they were riding?

It seems like it was a political revolution.

How do we know that?

The palm branches.

Palm branches were used for a couple hundred years as symbols of nationalistic pride. Don Carson notes that “From about two centuries earlier, palm branches had already become a national (not to say nationalist) symbol. When Simon the Maccabee drove the Syrian forces out of the Jerusalem citadel he was fêted with music and the waving of palm branches (cf. 1 Macc. 13:51, 141 BC), which had also been prominent at the rededication of the temple (2 Macc. 10:7, 164 BC).”

While the palm branches are not normally part of passover celebrations, this crowd waved these as a nationalistic sign that Jesus would be their King.

And then on top of that, they quote from one of the Hallal Psalms, ascribing to Jesus the political and revolutionary hopes contained in that Psalm (118).

Psalm 118:25–26 ESV

Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.

John records their chant in this way:

John 12:13 (ESV)

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

That word “Hosanna” means “save us” or “bring your salvation.” It seems like they were not calling for a spiritual salvation over sin, but for a political salvation from their enemies.

I think it’s important for us to remember that:

Political fervor does not equate with biblical service

this crowd had the right person, but they were cheering for him for the wrong outcome. Jesus did not come to do the thing they wanted him to.

I think this is part of the reason why Jesus rides in on a donkey. Rather than riding on a horse which would signify a conquering hero, coming in on a donkey communicates peace - not to mention a fulfillment of prophecy (Zec. 9:9).

So Jesus deflects this fad-driven and emotionally instituted glory. He’s not after their approval. In fact, if we look more broadly in scripture, we’ll see that this glory from humanity is also...

Short-lived (John 19:14)

The crowd that loved Jesus early in the week, seems to have abandoned him in just a few short days.

John 19:14–15 (ESV)

He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”

Now, frequently John uses the phrase “the Jews” to refer to the religious leaders. It certainly seems like this turning away from Jesus is led by the leaders and their kangaroo court. The other gospel writers seem to indicate that the mob that was assembled just prior to the crucifixion was more than just the leaders.

Whatever the case, the glory from humanity was short-lived. They turned quickly.

As we think about this in our own lives, how often do we clamor for the approval from other people only to find a moving target? What is acceptable in one moment becomes taboo the next.

We can see this in our society at-large with cancel culture and social stigmas, but we also see it in the church. I think this is why it’s so important for us to remain in the word of God and in fellowship with people who will encourage us in our walks with the Lord. The word of God is timeless and God’s principles are eternal.

Isaiah 40:8 ESV

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

But there is one other thing we can see in the glory that is received from humanity. That it is..

Fickle (42-43)

John 12:42–43 ESV

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

There are some who wanted to follow Jesus, but felt like it was socially dangerous to do so. Because they like the approval or glory from the other religious leaders, they chose to be quiet and covert.

Essentially, they refused to go public!

But I wonder, how often are we like that? How often do we have opportunities to make our faith public in conversations or actions or even in baptism?

Let’s think about this a couple of ways.

Students - As you enter the school year, what does being public about your faith look like?

In the very least, I think it impacts how you dress (modestly- not frumpy), how you speak, your integrity about your work, and how you treat other people (with dignity and encouragement as image bearers of God- even those that are difficult to love)

But it may even involve participating in something like FCA or inviting friends to some of our youth group events or to church.

It may mean offering to pray for someone or starting a bible study.

Single Adults - what does a public faith look like for you? Whether you’re in school or simply adulting - being public about your faith impacts

speach

work ethics

who you date and what you do on dates

whether or how much you drink

Parents/Grandparents

Intentionality with discipling our kids/grandkids

How we talk to and about our spouses

For all of us:

Interaction with neighbors

how we use our resources

offering pray for a neighbor

inviting someone to church or over for a meal

praying regularly for the lost around us and then seeking out opportunities for gospel seeds to be planted

One clear way for us to “go public” about our faith is to get baptized. It’s a means of visibly identifying your self with Jesus Christ. The picture of going under the water symbolizes our death to our old way of thinking and living. Coming out of the water symbolizes the new life that we have in Christ. I’m delighted that next month we’ll have two ladies go public through baptism? If you’ve not yet made your faith public in that way, then let’s have a conversation about that.

I think it comes down to the question - “do people know we’re Christians?” If not, why not? What do we need to change to make sure they know?

I think the bottom line here is that...

Belief should be publically proclaimed

So thinking about this passage with the triumphal entry - some people were seeking glory from others. Many were seeking to give Jesus glory - but on their terms.

What we find here, is that Jesus was not concerned with that. Instead, he was concerned with...

Glory from God

As Jesus proceeded through this crowd and interacted with various groups of people, it’s clear that his actions and motivations were not fueled by the hype of the people, but by bringing glory to and receiving glory from God. This kind of motivation is drastically different. We can see first of all that glory from God is...

Marked by sacrifice (20-26)

As a throng of Jewish people escort Jesus to town, several Greeks or gentiles reach out to Phillip in order to get Jesus’ attention and to see Jesus. In his response, it’s unclear if Jesus actually acquiesces to their request. He simply replies...

John 12:23–26 (ESV)

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Jesus refers to a time of glorification. It would not be that moment, but it would be by the end of the week.

He then talks about death and bearing fruit. There is a sense in which John seems to use his common tools of double meaning in this.

First, I think Jesus is referring to his own sacrifice. When he dies on the cross and is buried, he will truly be alone. He will be abandoned by the Father - primarily because he is taking on our shame. In response, at his resurrection, he begins to bear fruit. The life that he gave up is given back to him. Now that payment has been made for our sin, we get to be the fruit that he bears.

Secondly, as we can see in the context, Jesus is talking about our own way of life and our motivations and intentions. Our lives as his followers will be marked by sacrifice. These Greeks want to see Jesus, but he explains that our view toward this world will seem like hatred - not toward the people, but toward the way of life, toward the motivation. If we are to follow Jesus fully then...

Our perspective must adjust to Jesus’ point of view.

In addition to being marked by sacrifice, glory from God is...

Mutually beneficial between the Father and the Son (27-36)

Jesus seems to understand what would be coming in a few days and expresses his deep sorrow and concern:

John 12:27–28 ESV

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

He asks this rhetorical question - should I ask God to save me from this? - and then answers - this is why he came. In the midst of this sacrificial offering, he knows that this is his purpose, this is his primary reason for coming. And then prays that God’s name would be glorified - to which God response in a thunderous voice - I have and will.

God is glorified in Jesus’ obedience - even in his sacrifice.

And yet there is a mutuality to it.

John 12:31–32 ESV

Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Even through the sacrifice, Jesus is glorified by the means of people being drawn to him. Consider the fact that Christians all over the world gather together today and every Sunday, to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. In fact many people call today the “Lord’s Day” in honor of the resurrection of the Son.

Jesus’ heart was to please the Father and in return to be glorified by the Father. We see this in his actions. We will also get to see it in a few weeks when we consider his prayer in John 17. Let’s look at the opening verses from the prayer:

John 17:1–5 ESV

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

When we do things - are we seeking to glorify God alone in our actions? Are we secretly hoping for some glory from others?

Can we truly say along with the old chorus:

“In my life Lord, be gloried” - (words, work, actions, intentions)

So, all of this talk of sources of glory really gets us down to a final thing to consider. This is something we’ve reflected on nearly every week and it’s a present element in the passage today - that is belief. you see...

Whether or not we believe reflects the source of the glory we seek (37-50)

It seems odd to think of it this way (the correlation between belief and glory), but this passage seems to tie to two together.

Belief is initiated by God (37-41)

The primary focus of John’s gospel is belief. He wants people to believe in Jesus. He wants people to trust in him for salvation and life. No matter what proof their is, some people will simply not believe - both back in Jesus day and today.

John 12:37–41 ESV

Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.

The passage that John quotes from here is Isaiah 6 - where Isaiah is commissioned to preach good news. The challenge is that as he preaches, people will refuse to listen.

Reading the text in the negative like this is hard to read. It’s difficult for us to think that God would hardened people’s hearts and blind their eyes. After all, isn’t he working the salvation of everyone?

In fact Peter tells us:

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

and Jesus himself said:

John 3:16–17 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

So what does this mean that God would harden hearts and blind eyes?

I think Don Carson’s thoughts on this are helpful. He writes in his commentary:

The Gospel according to John (1. The Prediction of Scripture (12:37–43))

“God’s judicial hardening is not presented as the capricious manipulation of an arbitrary potentate cursing morally neutral or even morally pure beings, but as a holy condemnation of a guilty people who are condemned to do and be what they themselves have chosen.”

Some have simply chosen unbelief.

But, if we turn this around, then we also get the positive connotation that our believe comes from God’s grace to grant that belief. He draws us to Jesus - who is his glory (v. 41). Paul reminds us in Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Even the faith to belief is a gracious gift of God!

There are some people who would say - “well, I believe in God, but not in Jesus.” Or vice versa. We have to recognize that this passage reminds us that

Jesus is the object of belief in God (44-50)

The passage concludes this way:

John 12:44–50 ESV

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Jesus and God are consistent. Jesus is the means that God has made for us to have a relationship with him. Jesus is the voice of God, communicating God’s ways to a wayward world. Jesus is the voice of judgment - declaring -

belief = eternal life

Belief = a changed and transforming life

disbelief = eternal judgment

Do you believe?

Let’s pray.

Benediction

Hebrews 13:20–21 ESV

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Sources:

Burge, Gary M. The NIV Application Commentary: John. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.

Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Gangel, Kenneth O. John. Vol. 4. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Milne, Bruce. The Message of John (The Bible Speaks Today). Downers Grove, IL. Inter-Varsity Press, 1993

Neusner, Jacob. The Mishnah : A New Translation. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1988.

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