John Chapter 12

[0:00] a question to begin with today. The question is, why are you here? Why are you here today? And that's a question that we encounter from time to time.

[0:16] Perhaps when we're out visiting, ministers will often encounter this kind of situation. You go in and you sit down and you're giving a cup of tea and a scorn or whatever, no matter how much you try to resist if you're giving it.

[0:30] And you sit there and you have a bit of chat. And maybe after 10 minutes, occasionally somebody will say, it's nice to see you. Was there a particular reason that you came?

[0:43] Why are you here? Is there something that you want to talk about? Is there some point that you want to take up? Did you have a reason for coming? And that's a question that Jesus faced in his time on earth over these three years in particular.

[1:03] The crowds were asking. The Pharisees, the Sadducees were asking. The Romans were asking. Who is this Jesus? And why is he here?

[1:16] It's a question that much ink has been spilled over the generations by theologians and philosophers.

[1:27] It's a question that we will see pop up on forums and Facebook and Twitter and social media. Time after time.

[1:38] And it's a question that people have always been asking. It's a question perhaps you're asking today. As you're sitting here.

[1:50] There are still many people in church and out of church who are confused or who lack assurance over who Jesus is. And why he came to the world.

[2:03] What he came to do. And so today that's the question I would like us to consider in respect of Christ. Who is he? But more particularly, why did he come?

[2:16] Why did Jesus come into this world? There's three points but I think we'll just limit it to two points today. First point is Jesus did not come to judge this world.

[2:32] Not when he came in the incarnation. And the second point is Jesus came to save the world. The third point if we were to go on is Jesus came to serve.

[2:43] Jesus did not come to judge, point one. But he came to save, point two. And if we were to go further Jesus came to serve. But that takes us into chapter 13. There's no time to go there.

[2:55] So first of all Jesus did not come to judge. Now when Jesus returns as we've said this morning. When Jesus returns he will return as judge and as king.

[3:12] And every eye will see him. And every tongue will confess that he is Lord. There will be no skeptics in that moment.

[3:24] There will be no one who is in a state of rebellion over the lordship of Christ. It will be absolutely indisputable. When Jesus returns he will return as judge and king.

[3:40] Every tongue will confess him. Every eye will see him. Every life will be examined by Jesus the judge. He will return to judge the world.

[3:54] But when he came into this world. In the incarnation. Jesus did not come on a mission of judgment. It's not why he came.

[4:06] We hear that even in the verses that we read. Look at verse 47 of John chapter 12. Jesus says. As for the person who hears my words.

[4:18] But does not keep them. There's many of them. I do not judge them. For I did not come to judge the world.

[4:30] And we see that. Even as we travel through John's gospel. Flick back for a moment or two. To John chapter 8. Just so we remind ourselves. Of the circumstances of that chapter.

[4:40] Remember. At the beginning of John chapter 8. We see this woman. Who is brought to Jesus.

[4:50] She's thrown before Jesus. She's caught. In the act of adultery. More than likely it was a set up. A trap. To try and bring Jesus down. Everyone else.

[5:01] As they look at her. And as they throw her before Christ. They are intent on judging her. But Jesus. When he sees her.

[5:14] He refuses to be. The one who will judge her. Instead Jesus. He very skillfully. Dissipates the crowd. And then when she is standing.

[5:26] On her own before. He says to her. Woman. Where are you? Where is the crowd? Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?

[5:39] No one sir. No one. Lord. She said. Then neither do I condemn you. Jesus declared. Go now. And leave. Your life.

[5:50] Of sin. Jesus did not come. To judge. That was not his mission. John 3.17. The verse.

[6:01] After the verse. We know so well. For God did not send his son. Into the world. To condemn the world. But to save the world. Through him. Think about John chapter 12.

[6:13] At the beginning. If you flick back to. The chapter that we're in. And. We thought about this. A few weeks back. We see. This. Amazing situation.

[6:23] Where. Where Mary. She pours out the nard. She pours out her heart. In this extravagant. Act of worship. This expensive. Over the top.

[6:34] Act of worship. In the eyes of some. And Judas. As he witnesses this. Judas. As he sees this. He says. Why wasn't this perfume sold. And the money given to the poor. It was worth a year's wages.

[6:45] Judas. And Mary. Would probably have nodded along. With Judas. And said. Well. He has a point. There is much need. There are. There are many poor people.

[6:57] They may have looked. At Judas. And thought. Well. There's a man. Who has a real heart. For the poor. But Jesus. Knew Judas's heart. Jesus knew.

[7:09] As it says. In verse 6. That. Judas. Did not say this. Because he cared. About the poor. But because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag.

[7:22] He used to help. Himself. To what was put. Into it. Jesus knew. In that moment. As the words.

[7:34] Left. Judas's mouth. Jesus knew. His heart. Jesus knew. The hypocrisy. Of what Judas. Was saying. Jesus knew. All the dark.

[7:45] Devilish plots. That were growing. Within the heart. Of Judas. And he knew it over. Every situation.

[7:56] Over these years. All the falseness. All the darkness. All the lies. And yet.

[8:06] All the lies. All the lies. And yet. Not once. In three years. Do we read. Of Jesus. Treating Judas. With contempt. Not once.

[8:19] Do we read. About Jesus. Hitting Judas. With justice. And taking him. To tax. Even though.

[8:30] He could have. Why not? Because he did not. Come to judge. And so he shows.

[8:41] Judas. Time. After time. The most. Amazing. Grace. Think about that. For a moment. Now sometimes.

[8:53] We are in a situation. And we hear somebody. Speak to us. And they seem to be. So genuine. And so pleasant. But we know. What they really think of us. They are putting on a.

[9:05] Pretense about something. But we know. What they are really like. Now how hard. Do we find it. In a one off situation. To bite our tongues.

[9:18] How much love. Do we have. In our heart. Towards the person. That we can see exposed. Not much.

[9:30] I think. If we are honest. And yet. What. Amazing. The strength. And love. And grace. We see. In Christ.

[9:41] So how do we apply this. Point. Before we move from. Well I think. The first thing is. We need to be. Amazed. By the love. And the grace.

[9:51] And the self control. Of Jesus. I think our first thing. Is to bow. And worship. Before him.

[10:04] To see the wonder. Of who he is. To think about. What he knew of Judas. And how he treated him.

[10:17] To think about. How he treated this woman. In John chapter 8. Caught in the act. And yet. Shown. Such compassion. Sin is not overlooked.

[10:29] Jesus calls her. To repent. But he. He draws her. By his grace. The Pharisees. The Sadducees.

[10:40] Always snapping at her. As if they had the authority. And yet the one. They snapped at. Was the one. Who created all of the world. And held it together. The one who.

[10:51] With a word. Could have wiped them out. Yeah. He didn't. And think about. How. He is.

[11:02] How Christ is. In the way. He relates to you and I. Not to anyone else. Think about your heart. As I think about mine.

[11:12] And think about the love. And the compassion. And the grace. That Christ showed us. Be amazed.

[11:24] At the love. Of Jesus. Be amazed. By the grace. Of Jesus. Bow. And worship. Before. Christ.

[11:34] The first point. Of application. The second point. In application. Is to be challenged. To follow.

[11:45] His example. And that's a point. Of application. That bites. Isn't it? Especially in a place. Like this.

[11:58] Because when we live. In a village. You know. We do get to know each other. Very well. Don't we? We get to know our good points. We get to know our bad points. And there are occasions.

[12:09] Inevitably. In a village. Like this. Or many other villages. That we. That we come from. There are. Inevitably. Occasions. Where we're wronged. And where we're hurt. By the words.

[12:20] Or the actions. Or the reactions. Of people. And we feel the injustice. Sometimes. Of how someone has treated us. Or spoken about us. Or written about us. But in a wee place.

[12:33] You can't help but see that person. And they just keep coming before us. And they keep coming before our eyes. We keep seeing them around. We feel the sting.

[12:44] And we feel the pain. And yet we're confronted. Day by day by day. With them. So how do we respond to them? Well our natural tendency.

[12:55] Is to want to look them in the eye. And take them to task. Isn't it? Our natural tendency. Is confrontation. And justice.

[13:08] But the supernatural opportunity. That we're given. When we're wronged. Is to be like Christ. And not judge.

[13:25] But to show love. And to show grace. When can you and I. Show someone grace. Only when they don't deserve it.

[13:40] Because grace. Is not grace. If the person. Is deserving of it. Jesus says in. In Luke chapter 6.

[13:51] If you love those who love you. What credit is that to you? Even sinners. Love those who love you. And if you do good to those. Who do good to you. What credit is that to you?

[14:03] Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those. From whom you seek. You expect repayment. What credit is that to you? Even sinners. Lend to sinners. Expecting to be repaid. In full.

[14:15] But love your enemies. Do good to them. And lend to them. Without expecting. To get anything back. Then your reward. Will be great. And you will be.

[14:26] Sons of the most high. Because. He is kind. To be ungrateful. And wicked. Be merciful. Just as your father. Is merciful.

[14:37] Do not judge. And you will not be judged. A challenging teaching. Isn't it? If you love someone.

[14:52] Who loves you. That's just natural. But if you and I love someone. Who hates you. And hurts you.

[15:04] That's supernatural. That's not of this world. That's not of the flesh. That's of the spirit. That's how God treated us.

[15:18] That's how God. Treated us. How so? Well think. About Calvary. Think.

[15:28] About the words. That we sang. Behold. The man. Upon. A cross. Christ. My sin. Upon his shoulders.

[15:42] A shame. I hear. My mocking voice. Call out. Among the scoffers. It was my sin. That held him there.

[15:53] Until it was accomplished. His dying breath. Has brought. Me life. I know. That it. Is finished.

[16:07] How deep. The father's. Love for us. How rich. The son's grace. Towards us. In not. Imposing.

[16:18] Judgment. That would be right. And just. For rather. Offering us. Grace. And salvation.

[16:31] Why did Jesus. Come into this world. Jesus did not. Come to judge. And we would do well. To remember. Day by day. That Jesus.

[16:41] Has not commissioned. Us. Christians. To be his. Crack team. Of judges. So why did Jesus come. He came not to judge.

[16:54] He came. To save. Verse 47. Makes it clear. For I did not come. Says Jesus. To judge the world. But to save it.

[17:09] Jesus. Came. To save. Jesus. Came. To save. Those who. Who walked. Away from God. And who walked.

[17:21] Willingly. Into sin. It's very interesting. To watch somebody walk. Especially when you look at families. Again.

[17:31] Thinking about the village context. Sometimes. You can. You can sit. Looking out your window. And you see somebody walk. And you don't actually know the person. But you. As you watch them walk. You think.

[17:42] I think I know who that is. Because I recognize. The son's walking the father. It's an extreme walk. Whoever has seen it. That's a McLeod walk. That's a Morrison walk. If ever.

[17:53] I've seen it. The son. The daughter. Often walks. Just the way the parents walk. And as we. Take this into scripture.

[18:04] If we go all the way back. To Genesis chapter 3. We see. Our first parents. Adam. And Eve. And we see them. Determining. Not to trust God.

[18:16] But to walk away from God. And to walk. Into sin. And ever since then. We have walked with the same walk. That's our default. We are born.

[18:26] Not walking towards God. But we follow. Our parents. We follow Adam. And we walk. Away from God. We walk away from God. And from life. And we are found. Walking into sin.

[18:37] And death. We are born that way. Psalm 51. If you doubt that. But Jesus came.

[18:49] To save us. From sin. Jesus came. To save us. As we walk away from him. He comes to us. In this world. And he comes.

[18:59] Not to judge us. But to save us. But his methods. Were far from what. The people. The people. Especially the. The race of Israel.

[19:11] What they expected. His methods. Were not what they were looking for. His approach. Was not. What they were anticipating. Ever had that experience.

[19:21] Where your. Your methods. Your whole way of. Thinking. Your whole way of working. Is challenged. For years. In the summer holidays. I used to work. In the council.

[19:32] Digging graves. Cutting grass. Strimming. Strimming. Strimming. Day. After day. Strimming. Acres and acres. Of ground. And I. Would strim away. And I had my own way of.

[19:43] Of replacing the cord. In the strimmer head. You know how you take the cord out. And it runs out. And you have to replace the cord. In the head. Nobody ever told me. How to do that. So I had my own way of.

[19:54] Replacing the cord. In the head. And I would. Take the length. And I would. Measure it out. And I would. Cut it in the middle. And I would. Roll it around one side. And. And try and thread it through. And hold it. Whilst I started rolling around.

[20:05] The other side. And then it would all ping. And you'd have to start again. And. This was just the way I did it. It took me 10 minutes. But I would get there. And it would work. And then there was one day.

[20:17] One of the older men. More experienced men. And they watched me. Replacing the cord. And they said. What on earth are you doing? What on earth are you doing? I said.

[20:27] Well I'm putting the cord in. Take it. And I measure it. And I cut. No. That's not how you do it. He says. And he got the length out. And he didn't cut it. And he didn't measure it. He got the length out. He threaded it through.

[20:38] He pulled it. And within 20 seconds. It was done. And it was like a Eureka moment. He had been.

[20:49] He was right. And all the time. That I had thought. I was doing things the right way. I've got it wrong. My way of thinking. My way of. Doing things.

[21:00] Was challenged. And it's a mundane example. But it feeds into this. The people in John chapter 12. The nation of Israel. The crowds.

[21:11] As they gathered around Jesus. Especially as they gathered in adulation. In verses 12. Through to verse 19. They had their expectations.

[21:21] They were looking for the Messiah. They were looking for a saviour. They had a job description. They had a way of thinking. That married up with their saviour. They expected a king like figure.

[21:34] They expected somebody who would take on the powers that be. They expected some kind of political master. One who would draw the adulation of the crowds. And who would go head to head with Rome.

[21:45] And save their nation. They expected a warrior. And they started to think in verses 12 to 19.

[21:56] That Jesus would do just that. But what we see here. And elsewhere is Jesus. As he knew what was in their minds.

[22:06] He withdrew from that. And he challenged their wrong thinking. He would not let them. Put them into that position.

[22:17] And crime him as their national and political king. Jesus was the Messiah. Yes. But he would not be glorified in political victories.

[22:31] He would not be glorified in the celebrity status of 12 to 19. Jesus glory. He says himself.

[22:42] He would be revealed. When he was. Verse 34. Lifted up. To the cross. Jesus glory.

[22:55] Would not be revealed. Primarily. In his life. As remarkable. As that. Life was. And remains. The Jesus glory.

[23:08] Look at verses 23. And 24. Jesus glory. Would be most clearly seen. In his death. His death.

[23:20] In our place. His death. To atone. For our sins. His death. As the means.

[23:31] Of. Of. Drawing us. Off the path. Of death. And into the path. Of life. And salvation.

[23:46] It's Christ's death. That was that glorious. Pinnacle of history. It's Christ's death. That is the means.

[23:58] Of you. And. My joy. Into salvation. I want to ask the question. Can you see why Jesus came?

[24:13] Can you see. That Jesus came. To save. Do you understand. That Jesus.

[24:24] That Jesus. Came. To this world. To deal. With your sin. And to offer you. Salvation. Because if you can see this.

[24:40] If you can see. The cross. If. The lifting up. Of Christ. Makes sense to you. It's because God.

[24:53] Is drawing. To himself. Verses. 39. And 40. We haven't got time to.

[25:04] Into this. In any kind of depth. But we see. In verses. 39. To 40. There were many. Who couldn't see. And believe. There were others.

[25:17] Still. Verse 37. Who would not believe. Who were not. Believing. Consistently. Time. After time.

[25:28] Were not believing. Heard the message. Saw Christ. Saw the signs. Were not believing. And there were others. Still.

[25:38] Who. Who did believe. Verses 42. And verse 43. But they wouldn't. Confess their faith. Because they were fearful.

[25:50] Of being ridiculed. Or criticised. They remained silent. Says John. Because they loved. Praise. From men. More than praise. From God.

[26:05] Where do we fit. Into these groups. As we finish now. Where do we fit. Into these groups. Some couldn't see.

[26:19] They couldn't believe. Some could see. But they would not. Believe. And there were some. Who believed.

[26:32] But wouldn't. Profess. Their faith. Where do we fit. Into these categories. There will be some. Here this morning. Who will not believe.

[26:46] And who are. In rebellion. Against Christ. And who. See the cross. And who understand.

[26:57] About their sin. And who know. That there is a call. In the gospel. To respond in faith. Who will not believe. But who will not believe.

[27:09] The tense. That is used. In these verses. Is the. Imperfect tense. There were. Those verse 37. Who were. Not. Believing. Are you here.

[27:21] Sitting today. And week by week. As you sit here. You are. Not. Believing. Believing. Because. There were. Something like that. And then.

[27:34] There were. Others. Who could not. Believe. To the next stage. Because. If you sit. Week by week. By week. By week. By week.

[27:44] By week. By week. And you will not. Believe. Consciously. There comes a time. When you cannot.

[27:54] Believe. When you cannot. You cannot. Respond. One commentator.

[28:05] Hendrickson. Is helpful here. He. Is speaking about. The verse. 37. There were those. Who were not. Believing. And he said. The imperfect tense. Indicates. That there was a constant.

[28:16] And progressive. Unwillingness. To accept. Jesus. With a genuine. Living faith. Despite the signs.

[28:29] And the saints. On the whole. Says Hendrickson. Of them. They. Became. More. More. And more. Callous. Spiritually. Insensitive. To the works. And words.

[28:41] Of Christ. Jesus. Urges. Them. To walk. In the light. But when people. Of their own accord. And after repeated. Threats and promises.

[28:51] Reject him. And spurn his messages. Then. And not until then. He hardens them. In order that those. Who were not willing.

[29:02] To repent. May not be able. To repent. It's the seriousness. Of how we respond.

[29:13] To the gospel message. And for those. Who cannot repent. Whose hearts are callous. To that degree. What do we do for them? We pray for them. Because God is able to suffer.

[29:27] Every heart. He is able to break through. To when there are those. Who are spiritually. Unconscious. We pray for them.

[29:40] Where do we fit here? The one who is spiritually. Unconscious. Won't even hear this. But there will be others. A step back. Who are hearing. But thus far.

[29:52] Have not believed. Don't. Continue in that scene. And there will be some. More. In this place today.

[30:04] Who do believe. But will not. Confess their faith. For fear.

[30:14] That they will lose. Favor. And respect. In the eyes of their. Family and friends. And those who look. On at them. In this place. So they hide.

[30:25] In the darkness. And don't want to be. Known. As those who are Christ's. Jesus said.

[30:37] I have come. Into the light. World. As a light. So that no one. Who believes in me. Should stay. In darkness. And as we think.

[30:47] About the fact. That God willing. In two weeks time. The table here. Will be set. And the elements. Will be before us.

[30:58] And the call. Will be issued. Once more. As we think. As we think. About. The invitation. To come. To the Lord's table. And profess. Our faith in Christ.

[31:09] Let's remember. That text. I have come. Into this world. As a light. Says Jesus. So that no one. Who believes in me. Should stay. In darkness. If you have been. Drawn to Christ. If you see.

[31:20] Your sin. If you have. Asked that Jesus. Would take it away. And become your. Saviour. And become your Lord. Confess your faith. Don't hide.

[31:36] Say with a psalmist. The Lord. Is my light. And my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord.

[31:48] Is the stronghold. Of my life. Of whom. Shall I. Be afraid. Jesus. Came. Not to. Judge the world.

[32:00] But he came. To save. The world. So let us. Come. To him. Let us. Come. To that.

[32:10] Throne. Of grace. While we still have time. I want to give. The final word. Here. To J.C. Ryle. J.C.

[32:23] Ryle. Says this. And this is what we'll. Conclude with. The throne of grace. Will always be standing. Throne of grace.

[32:34] Will not always be standing. It will be removed one day. And the throne of judgment. Will be set up. In its place. The door of salvation.

[32:44] By faith. In Christ. Will not always be open. It will be shut. One day forever. And the number of God's elect. Will be completed. The fountain.

[32:55] For all sin. And uncleanness. Will not always be accessible. The way to it. Will one day. Be barred. And there will remain. Nothing.

[33:05] But the lake. That burns with fire. And brimstone. These are solemn thoughts. Says Ryle. But they are true.

[33:19] Let us walk. Says Ryle. While we have a light. Have we Bibles? Let us not neglect. To read them.

[33:31] Have we the preached gospel? Let us not linger. Halting. Between. Two opinions. But believe. To the saving.

[33:41] Of our souls. Have we Sabbaths? Let us not waste them. In idleness. Carelessness. And indifference.

[33:51] But throw. Our whole hearts. Into their sacred. Employments. And turn them. Into good account. Light. Is about us.

[34:03] And around us. And near us. On every side. Let us. Each resolve. To walk. In the light. While we have it.

[34:15] Lest we find ourselves. At length. Cast out. Into outer darkness. Forever. It is a true saying.

[34:27] Of an old divine. That the recollection. Of lost. And misspent. Opportunities. Will be the very essence. Of hell.

[34:42] Jesus came. To this world. Not to judge it. Not to judge us. But to save us.

[34:54] Today. Is the day. Of opportunity. Don't misspend. But respond. To Christ. And know his salvation.

[35:07] And know his salvation. Thank you. We may. Thank you. We're going to see you at the end of the video. We'll see you at the end of the video. I think we'll be watching you at the end of the video.