Sunday School Lessons

APRIL 22 and 29, 2018

JESUS FINAL MESSAGE TO THE UNBELIEVING JEWS

INTRODUCTION:

1. Some believe that these verses are a continuation of the previous discourse which ended at Verse 36, but that is not likely, since that address ended with Jesus departing and hiding Himself from them. (Verse 36b) It is probable that this address was given some time after, perhaps on a following day when Jesus would again make a public appearance.
2. This would be Jesus’ last public discourse, and His last words to the Jews. All that follows will be private with His disciples.
3. In this last public address we see His boldness and earnestness. “Jesus cried and said…” He desired that all might hear and take notice. (Isa. 55:1)
4. Whether or not His words were heard by those present, we do well to take heed, for Hs addressed two matters which are of the utmost importance that we can never understand too well.
a) First is the glorious dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is one with the Father; Who is as the sun risen on this sin-darkened world, the one source of spiritual life, fruitfulness, and comfort.
b) Second, there is a day of reckoning coming for all.
c) May we live in constant awareness of these two realities, which provide us with sufficient reasons for living godly lives, and for openly professing our faith in the world.

I. NOTICE THE PRIVILEGES AND DIGNITIES BELONGING TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE. (VERSES 44-46)

A. BY BELIEVING IN CHRIST WE ARE BORUGHT INTO ACQUAINTANCE WITH GOD. (VSES. 44, 45)
1. Jesus here declares for the last time the great truth He so often declared – the entire unity between Himself and the Father.
2. The believer does not believe in a mere man, as Jesus appeared to be, but in Him Who is the Son of God, equal in power and glory.
3. The believer’s faith does not terminate in Christ, but through Him reaches the Father. Christ is our way to the Father.
4. The rest of the believing soul is in God through Christ the Mediator.
5. The Christian faith is made up of pure Divinity. This is illustrated in Verse 45. (See Ch. 14:9)
a) God makes Himself known in the face of Christ. (II Cor. 4:6; Heb. 1:3)
b) All who believe in Christ are led by Him to the knowledge of God whom Christ has revealed to us by His Word and Spirit.

B. CHRIST IS TO THE BELIEVING SOUL WHAT THE RISING SUN IS TO THE WORLD. (VERSE 46)
1. We are brought into a comfortable enjoyment of ourselves. “…that whosoever believe in me, should not abide in darkness.”
2. The character of Christ: “I am come a light into the world.”
a) This implies that He had a being before coming, a being as light, just as the sun is before it rises.
b) The prophets and apostles were made lights, but only Christ came a light, having already been a glorious light in the upper world.
c) All others who are lights are mere reflections, Christ is eternal Light. He is the original Light. (John 1:4ff; 3:19; I John 1:5)
3. This verse shows that:
a) Christ existed before His incarnation;
b) Christ is the one Savior of the world, even as there is only one sun; and
c) Christ came not for one nation, but for all, as the sun shines for all the world.

II. NOTICE NEXT THE DANGER AND RUIN OF THOSE WHO HEAR HIS TEACHING AND BELIEVE NOT. (VERSES 47, 48)

A. JESUS PREFACES THIS WARNING WITH A DISCLAIMER. (VERSE 47)
1. These words can only mean, “I judge him not now.” To take them in an absolute sense would be to find teaching in other places as contradictory, where Christ is said to be judge of all at the last day.
2. Our Lord’s meaning evidently is to teach that His first Advent was not for judgment, but for salvation; not to punish, but to heal and save. (John 3:17) Christ’s First Advent was to set up a throne of grace; the Second Advent will be to set up a throne of judgment.

B. WE SEE WHO THEY ARE, WHOSE UNBELIEF IS HERE DESCRIBED AND CONDEMEND. (VERSE 48)
1. Those who receive not Christ’s words and reject Him are thus condemned.
a) The word rendered “rejecteth” is only used here in John’s Gospel. It means to despise, scorn, set at naught. (See Luke 10:16)
b) There are those who, like these Jews, hear Christ’s teachings and scoff at them, and even despise His Person, showing contempt for the Son of God, and thus, for God the Father. “He that despiseth me, despiseth Him that sent me.” (Luke 10:16)
2. These shall be judged in the last day, by the words which they refused to hear.
a) It is a serious matter to hear the Gospel. Jesus said, “Be careful how you hear.”
b) There is no doubt that unbelievers will answer for despising the Gospel.
c) In that day, they will not be able to deny that the words they rejected were words of wisdom, true words of grace and mercy.
d) Christ’s words will be unanswerable, and will aggravate their condemnation. It would have been better for them not to have heard at all.
3. See here the longsuffering of the Lord. Though He did not judge immediately, He will most assuredly be sitting upon a throne of judgment in that day.
a) He said, “I judge him not now,” but He will judge him then.
b) He will judge the world in righteousness.
c) This judgment is certain and unavoidable.
d) This judgement is without mercy, for despised mercy will witness against them.

III. NOTICE NEXT THE SOLEMN DECLARATION OF THE AUTHORITY CHRIST RECEIVED OF THE FATHER. (VERSES 49, 50)

A. HE RECEIVED HIS COMMISSION TO DELIVER HIS DOCTRINE TO THE WORLD FROM THE FATHER. (VERSE 49)
1. Notice, “For I have not spoken of myself,” that is, “I have not spoken of my own independent mind, without concert with my Father in heaven.”
2. Here, as in other places in John’s Gospel, the Greek does not mean “I have not spoken concerning myself, but out of myself.”
3. The object of saying that is evident.
a) He would have the Jews know what a serious sin it was to refuse His words, and not believe them.
b) To refuse to hear the words of any of God’s anointed prophets from Moses to John the Baptist was great sin, but to refuse to hear Christ, Who was One with the Father was to refuse to hear the words spoken directly by God Himself.
4. Jesus then reinforces His statement, declaring that, regarding what He should say and speak, He had come to earth under a Divine commandment, or with a Divine commission. What He spoke was ever according to the eternal counsels of the ever-blessed Trinity.
5. Just as He was the Father’s Workman so also He was the Father’s Spokesman. (John 4:34; 5:17; Deut. 18:18; Heb. 1:1, 2)
6. It is uncertain the distinction between “say” and “speak.” It has been suggested that the terms are meant to distinguish between teaching and publishing a thing and to utter a thing familiar. Whether or not that is the case, there certainly seems to be the intention of referring the Jews to the well-known words concerning the “Prophet like unto Moses.” (Deut. 18:18)

B. JESUS HERE DECLARES THE SCOPE AND DESIGN OF THIS COMMISSION. (VERSE 50)
1. Jesus said, “I know that this commandment is life everlasting.”
a) Some believe He is saying, “I know that the way to life everlasting is to keep His commandments.” This was essentially what He said to the rich young ruler. (See Matt. 18:16-19)
b) But the meaning of the sentence seems to be – “I know, whether you like to believe it or not, that this message, commandment, or commission, which I have from My Father is life everlasting to all who receive it and believe.”
c) Thus, Peter said to our Lord, “Thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) This was just after Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.”

C. JESUS CONCLUDED HIS ADDRESS TO THE JEWS BY DECLARING HIS FAITHFULNESS TO HIS DIVINE COMMISSION. (VERSE 50)
1. Notice “Whatsoever I speak, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” or, “Whatsoever I speak, it is even as the Father has said unto me.”
2. This sentence seems intended to wind up our Lord’s public discourses to the unbelieving Jews at Jerusalem.
a) “What things I am teaching now, or have spoken to you throughout My ministry, are things which the Father gave Me to speak to you.”
b) “If you, therefore, refuse or reject My message, know once more, for the last time, that you are rejecting the message of God the Father Himself.”
3. May we be so bold and confident, knowing that our message is true, to say, “I know and am persuaded that the message I bring is life everlasting to all who will believe it, and that saying what I do, I am saying nothing but what God has shown me in His Word.”

APRIL 15, 2018

THE DANGER OF DESPISING PRESENT PRIVILEGE

INTRODUCTION:

1. Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem was most remarkable and significant for a number of reasons.
a) Zechariah’s prophecy was fulfilled as the people shouted and rejoiced as their King entered riding upon the foal of an ass. (Verses 12-15; Zech. 9:9)
b) The Pharisees, however, were not rejoicing, seeing this enormous throng of cheering worshippers as an indication that their efforts against Christ had come to nothing. (Verse 19)
c) Then a signal event occurred when certain Greeks came inquiring after Jesus. (Verses 20-22)
d) This inquiry was key to the amazing words here spoken by our Lord. (Verses 23-26)
(1) These Gentile seekers signaled to Jesus that the “hour” of which He had often spoken had now come.
(2) The time had come when He would die for the people, both Jews, and Gentiles, not for one nation only, but for the world. (Ch. 11:50, 51)
(3) The time had come in which He must bear the awful load of the sins of the world. (Isa. 53:6)
e) Contemplating this awful imputation, Jesus said, “Now is my soul troubled.” (Verse 27a)

2. Jesus declared plainly the purpose for which He came up to the feast and for which He made this very public entrance into the city. (Verses 31-33)
a) He would now judge the prince of darkness through His death on the cross. (Verse 31; Gen. 3:15)
b) He would by being “lifted up,” i.e. by dying on the cross, deliver His people form Satan’s power, and draw them to Himself. (Verse 32)
c) John explains that when Jesus spoke of being “lifted up” He was “signifying what death He should die,” i.e. crucifixion.

3. This declaration will bring about the next round of criticism from the Scribes and Pharisees.

I. THE EXCEPTION THE PEOPLE TOOK AGAINST WHAT OUR LORD SAID, AND HIS SOLEMN RESPONSE. (VERSES 34-36)

A. THEY PRETENDED TO BE UNABLE TO RECONCILE JESUS’ TALK OF BEING “LIFTED UP” WITH THE PROPHECIES ABOUT A NEVER-DYING MESSIAH. (VERSE 34)
1. This verse supplies a remarkable instance of the perverse hardness and blindness of the Jews in Jesus’ time.
a) They understood that when our Lord referred to Himself as the Son of Man that He was claiming to be the Messiah of whom the prophets had all spoken. “We have heard out of the Law that Christ abideth for ever.”
b) They failed to recognize, however, that the eternal son of God became the Son of Man in order to become the suffering Messiah. This was also foretold in the Law. By Law is meant the whole of the Old Testament Scriptures.
c) Let us note that half knowledge of Scripture, along with selectiveness, suppression, and misapplication, accounts for a large portion of mistaken religious beliefs and doctrines.
2. Note the contempt that they intended, when they asked, “Who is THIS Son of man?” The demonstrative pronoun here is very emphatic.
a) “We have heard about a Son of man who is eternal, but who is THIS Son of man?”
b) They may have been thinking of Daniel 7:13, 14 where Messiah is called “The Son of man,” whose “kingdom shall not be destroyed.” But, they seem not to have considered Daniel 9:26: “…and after three score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off.”
3. Notice, Jesus said, “and I, if I be lifted up…” The Jews responded, “How sayest thou the Son of man must be lifted up.” The only record of Jesus saying “The Son of man must be lifted up” is in His conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:14. We must suppose, then, that either the Jews were referring to that statement, or what is more likely, that the expression was frequently on our Lord’s lips.

B. JESUS’ SOLEMN RESPONSE TO THE JEWS’ EXCEPTION AND CONTEMPTUOUS REMARKS. (VERSES 35, 36)
1. Our Lord makes no direct answer to their question. He only warns them in a very solemn manner of the grave danger they were in of letting their day of grace slip away.
2. He draws a figure from the light of day and the importance of walking and journeying while we have light.
3. He used a similar analogy in Ch. 11:9, 10 to show how we must pursue our life’s purpose while we have our life, but here, by “the light,” He evidently means Himself. “I, the Light of the world, am only going to be with you a very short while longer.” (Compare Jer. 13:15, 16)
4. Instead of answering these fools according to their folly, He gives them a serious caution to take heed not to trifle away their day of opportunity.
a) See here the loving concern He has for the souls of men, even those who are contriving against Him?
b) See here the solemn warning given to make the best of privilege while we enjoy it?
c) We must understand that unbelievers are walking in darkness, but by coming to Christ, Who is the Light, we shall no longer walk in darkness; we shall be Children of Light.
d) We must come to Him without delay, lest He depart from us, and hide Himself. (Verse 36b)
5. How sad, that those to whom He spoke these words became the more hardened in their unbelief and continued in their darkness, “for they loved darkness, rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19) As for this people as a whole, John records their sad rejection of the Light early in this Gospel. (John 1:9-11)

II. THE SINGULAR HARDNESS OF THE JERUSALEM JEWS WAS PREDICTED BY THE PROPHET ISAIAH. (VERSES 37-41)

A. THEY WOULD NOT BELIEVE ON CHRIST IN SPITE OF HIS MANY MIRACLES THAT THEY HAD WITNESSED. (VERSE 37)
1. The expression, “so many miracles” seems to indicate that the miracles recorded by John are only a small fraction of the miracles that our Lord performed in and around Jerusalem. Besides the purifying to the temple, John records only three. (Chapters 5, 9, 11) Yet here and Ch. 2:23 John expressly speaks of miracles; and the Pharisees remarked “This man doeth many miracles.” (Ch. 11:47)
2. “Yet they believed not on him.” Where there is the greatest quantity of the form of religion, there will be the greatest proportion of formality and unbelief. The places where men become the most familiar with ceremonies are the places where hearts seem to become the most hard.
3. Let us be again reminded of the truth that “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom.10:17) “If they will not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)

B. NOTICE HOW THIS HARDNESS AND UNBELIEF WAS IN FULFILLMENT OF THE SCRIPTURES. (VERSES 38-41)
1. By their unbelief, the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled. (Verse 38; Isa. 53:1; see also Rom. 10:16) However, as Ryle notes, “it was not because Isaiah spoke that they believed not, but because they were not about to believe that he spake.” The prophet’s prediction was not the cause of their unbelief.
2. That said, John went on to say, “Therefore they could not believe.” This too was predicted by the prophet, Isaiah. (Verses 39, 40; Isa. 6:9; see also Acts 28:26, 27; Matt. 13:14; Rom. 11:8)
a) We before noted that they would not believe. Now, we see that they could not believe. Though the latter is a judicial act of God, it is because of the former that He so acted. They brought this inability upon themselves.
b) We may liken this to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. While on the one hand we read that Pharaoh hardened his heart; on the other hand, we read that it was God who hardened Pharaoh’s heart. (See Exo. 9:12, 16, 34, 35; Rom. 9:17, 18) Again, it was through Pharaoh’s wicked rebellion that his heart was hardened.
c) Persistent unbelief is very dangerous, for it tends to harden the heart.
3. This is a very solemn subject, and seems at first glance to make God the author of man’s destruction. But, we must realize that God is sovereign in punishing. Some He may cut off suddenly the moment they sin. Other’s He may give over to judicial blindness, and cease to strive with their consciences. But those whom He is said to harden and blind will always be found to be persons whom He had previously warned, exhorted, and summoned to repent.
4. John cites not only the location of this prophecy, but gives the occasion upon which it was uttered. (Verse 41) In Isaiah we see a magnificent description of the Lord’s glory, before which the seraphim veiled their faces, crying “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” Surely the thrice holy God is “righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.” (Psa. 145:17)

III. THE AMAZING POWER THAT THE LOVE OF THE WORLD HAS OVER MEN IS HERE SEEN. (VERSES 42, 43)

A. SOME OF THE JEWS WHO WERE PRESENT WERE NOT SO HARDENED IN THEIR UNBELIEF AS OTHERS. (VERSE 42)
1. Many, even of the chief rulers at Jerusalem, believed that Jesus was the Christ; however, they kept their beliefs to themselves.
2. Their faith was not such as would confess Christ before men, and especially before powerful men who were unbelievers. (See Matt. 10:32, 33)
3. See here in these, examples of some who are convinced of the truth of the Gospel, and who know their need of Christ but are
a) either too cowardly to confess Christ, or
b) fancy that they can somehow be a “secret disciple.”

B. THESE JEWS, IN FACT, COUNTED THE FAVOR AND PRAISE OF MEN MORE DESIREABLE THAN THE FAVOR AND BLESSING OF GOD. (VERSE 43)
1. They weighed the praise of men against the favor of God, and gave the preference to the praise of men.
2. This preference has been a snare to many millions who have lost their souls for sake of worldly acceptance, praise, success, power, etc.
3. To countless others, like these in the text, it is the fear of man that has been their snare, and they can’t get free from it. (Prov. 29:25)
4. Then, many a young person has preferred popularity to the cross of Christ!
5. How many an aspiring man or woman has sold his or her soul for fortune, fame, or success.
6. Let us pray for grace and wisdom to say, “Take the world, but give me Jesus;” to heed His words, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

APRIL 8, 2018

THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN

INTRODUCTION:

1. There are depths here in the passage before us which we are unable to fathom thoroughly, yet by carefully looking at these verses we may gather lessons of great importance.
2. For one thing we see proved that wonderful and cardinal doctrine of imputation. It was the imputation of man’s sin to Christ that was the cause of His great agony. “Now is my soul troubled.” We see Him who could heal diseases with a touch, cast out devils with a word, in great agony and conflict of spirit. What else could have caused it?
3. There is a great mystery here unfolded. That mystery is the possibility of much inward conflict of soul without sin. We cannot begin to conceive of the depths and intensity of Christ’s suffering. We hear the agonizing cry, and the desperate prayer of suffering flesh and blood, yet there was willing and hearty submission to what He knew was His Father’s will. (Verse 27)
4. We have the miracle of the heavenly voice heard now yet a third time (See Matt. 3:17; 17:5) that was meant to show the intimate and unbroken union of God the Father and God the Son throughout the Son’s earthly ministry.
5. We have also a great prophecy delivered in which it is assuredly declared that by Christ’s death all men (peoples, nations) shall be drawn to Him.

I. FIRST, WE HAVE CHRIST’S AGONY OF SOUL, AND THE PRAYER THAT HE OFFERED OUT OF IT. (VERSES 27, 28)

A. THE TIME IN WHICH HE SAID THIS IS SOMEWHAT SURPRISING. (VERSE 27)
1. “NOW is my soul troubled.” Why now? Why is His soul troubled at a time when one might have expected that He would be pleased? (Verses 13, 20, 21)
2. Jesus was ever mindful of His mission, and what was now soon to take place. (Matt. 16:21; 17:22, 23; Luke 9:22)
3. Those who participated in His Triumphal Entrance into the city did not understand what His triumph would entail, but He did. (See Verses 31, 32)

B. CHRIST BEGAN TO DREAD THE AWFUL SUFFERING AND AGONY THAT WAS NOW APPROACHING. “Now is my soul troubled.”
1. To say, as some do, that the cause of our Lord’s trouble of soul was the prospect of His own painful death on the cross is very unsatisfactory.
a) Many martyrs that we have read about have gone through horrendous physical agonies, and done so in calm and courageous silence.
b) Our Lord’s trouble of soul was in anticipation of sufferings that went far, far beyond any mere physical pain and agony.
c) Yet there are those who see in Christ’s death only an example of self-sacrifice.
2. Nothing can ever explain our Lord’s agony of soul, both here and in Gethsemane, except the fact that He felt the burden of man’s sin pressing Him down.
a) It was the awful weight of man’s guilt imputed to Him, and meeting on His head, which made Him groan and cry “Now is my soul troubled.”
b) That which caused our Lord’s great agony is the only true comfort for the heart of a Christian – that our sins were really laid on our Divine substitute, and borne away by Him; and that His righteousness is really imputed to us and accounted ours. (Isa. 53:6; II Cor. 5:21)

C. WE SEE IN OUR BLESSED SAVIOR’S PRAYER THE MIGHTY MENTAL STRUGGLE THAT HE WAS HERE UNDERGOING. (VERSE 27)
1. The question: “What shall I say?” This struggle arises from the natural feeling of one who was perfect man, and as man could feel himself in a strait, if you will.
2. The prayer of suffering flesh and blood: “Father, save me from this hour?” This would be the equivalent of saying, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” (Matt. 26:39)
3. The meek confession: “For this cause came I unto this hour.” This is essentially the same as saying, “Not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
4. The petition of perfect submission: “Father, glorify thy name.” This is the same as to say, “Thy will be done,” for God’s will is for His own glory.

D. WE SEE NEXT THE FATHER’S ANSWER TO THE PRAYER OF THE SON. (VERSE 28)
1. The manner in which the Father answered was miraculous. “Then came there a voice from heaven.”
a) This wondrous voice was heard three times during our Lord’s earthly ministry.
(1) At His baptism. (Luke 3:21, 22)
(2) At His transfiguration. (Matt. 17:5)
(3) Here at Jerusalem in the midst of this great multitude.
b) God spoke to the prophets “in divers manners,” but to speak in an audible voice was an honor reserved for the Son alone.
2. The answer was an express return to the Son’s petition, “Father glorify thy name.” The Father said, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it yet again.”
a) This answer can either be applied to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Father declaring that He was glorified in His incarnation, life, works, and miracles; and would yet be glorified in His death, resurrection, and ascension;
b) Or, it may be applied to the whole course of God’s dealing with creation from the beginning. God had glorified His name in all ages which had gone before, and He would do so again in the end of the age in accomplishing the work of man’s redemption.
c) I personally lean toward the first view, though certainly there is truth in both.

E. WE ARE TOLD THE OPINIONS OF THE STANDERS-BY CONCERNING THE VOICE. (VERSE 29)
1. Some who were apparently not paying attention said it thundered.
2. Others knew that there was a plain articulate voice and thought an angel had spoken.
3. We may hope that there were some who realized what this was, and understood what was said, and bore record of it, since it was for their sake that God spoke.

II. THE ACCOUNT THAT OUR LORD HIMSELF GAVE OF THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN. (VERSES 30-33)

A. HE TELLS WHY THE VOICE WAS SENT. (VERSE 30)
1. The miraculous voice was not for His own sake, to comfort Him and help Him. “Not because of me…” Had it been for His sake, it might have been whispered in His ear privately.
2. The voice from heaven spoke for the sake of the people. “…but for your sakes.”
a) That all who heard it might believe that the Father had sent Him.
b) That the disciples might be encouraged to follow Him in His sufferings.
c) Notice, it was for our sake that He sanctified Himself.

B. HE EXPLAINS THE MEANING OF WHAT WAS SAID. (VERSE 31)
1. “Now is the judgment of this world.” What does this mean?
a) The time had come when a sentence of condemnation should be passed by the death of Christ on the whole order of things which had prevailed in the world since the creation.
b) The world would not be left to the devil and his powers of darkness. Christ was about to spoil them of their dominion by His redeeming work.
c) By the faith of Christ, confirmed by His death and resurrection, through His blood shed for the remission of sins, thousands of believing souls obtain deliverance from the dominion of Satan, who held them as criminals bound for judgment.
2. “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
a) There can be no doubt that Satan is here meant. Up to the time of our Lord’s redeeming work, the entire world in a certain sense was under his dominion. (Eph. 2:1-3)
b) When Christ came and died for sinners Satan’s usurped power was broken, and he received a deadly blow. (Col. 2:15) It is to this victory that our Lord clearly refers.
c) Of course He did not mean that Satan would be “cast out” of the world entirely, and no more tempt it. That will be done at the Second Advent.

C. OUR LORD DECLARED THAT BY HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS SOULS WOULD BE CONVERTED FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD. (VERSES 32, 33)
1. This means that Satan shall be cast out of every soul that is drawn to Christ worldwide.
a) The great design of our Lord Jesus was to draw all men to Him, not of the Jews only, but also them that were afar off, for He was to be the “desire of all nations.” (Hag. 2:7), and “to Him shall the gathering of the people be.”
b) It is Christ that draws the hearts of men to Himself.
(1) None can come, or will come except they be drawn. (John 6:44)
(2) Christ does not drive, but “draws with the cords of a man.” (Hos. 11:4; Jer. 31:3)
2. It is by Christ’s sacrificial atoning death on the cross that men are drawn to Christ. (Verse 33)
a) John adds this explanatory note: “This he said signifying what death He should die.”
b) It is by this lifting up that men are drawn.
c) It is not, as some have said, that by lifting up Christ in our preaching men are drawn to Him.
d) Although we do strive to exalt Christ in our preaching, it must be Christ crucified that wins the heart of the sinner.

MARCH 18 / MARCH 25, 2018

CHRIST’S TRIUMPHAL ENTRANCE

INTRODUCTION:

1. Christ’s conduct at this concluding stage of His earthly life and ministry is remarkably different than anything else that is recorded of Him.
a) Hitherto we have seen Him withdraw as much as possible from public notice. By retiring into the wilderness He was avoiding both those who would have tried to kill Him, and those who would have brought Him forward and made Him a king.
b) He did not “cry or strive, or cause His voice to be heard in the streets.” (Matt. 12:19)
c) But here, on the contrary, He will make a most spectacular entrance into the city attended by a crowd of people so immense that it caused the Pharisees to say, “Behold, the whole world has gone after Him.”
2. The explanation for this apparent inconsistency is not difficult to find out. The time had now come when He was to die for the sins of the world. “His hour” was now come at last,
a) When the true Passover Lamb was to be slain;
b) When the true blood of atonement was to be shed;
c) When Messiah was to be cut off (Dan. 9:26); and
d) When the way into the holiest was to be opened by the true High Priest to all mankind.
3. Knowing this, He placed Himself prominently under the notice of the whole Jewish nation. It was only right that this thing should not be “done in a corner.” (Acts 26:26)
a) Thus, it happened at a time when all the tribes were assembled for the Passion Feast.
b) Thus, it happened at a time when He had caused the eyes of all Israel to be upon Him.
4. This coming of our Lord into Jerusalem is known as “Christ’s Triumphal Entrance.”

I. HERE WE HAVE CHRIST’S GRAND ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY IN FULFILLMENT OF THE SCRIPTURES. (VERSES 12-19; ZECH. 9:9; PSA. 118:25)

A. A GREAT MULTITUDE GATHERED TO SHOW HONOR TO CHRIST IN A MOST REMARKABLE DISPLAY. (VERSES 12, 13)
1. This great multitude did not include many locals, but was mostly made up of country people who came from all parts to worship at the feast.
a) According to Josephus, as many as three million people would gather to Jerusalem for Passover.
b) Many came from Galilee. It is very likely that there were more than a few among this great crowd who had been present and had partaken of the loaves and fishes.(John 6:5-13)
c) They were not the rulers or great ones that went out to meet Christ, but the common people.
2. These enthusiastic people had inquired after the Lord (Ch. 11:55, 56), and now “they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.”
a) Our Lord’s intention of coming had somehow become known, either by Himself, or His disciples.
b) This information must have been carried back to the city by those who returned from Bethany the day before.
3. The multitude expressed it great honor for Christ in a most remarkable way. (Verse 13)
a) Palm branches were carried by processions attending victorious kings on public occasions.
(1) The triumphant host in heaven which John saw in visions was composed of persons having “palms in their hands.” (Rev. 7:9)
(2) Some here no doubt believed Jesus was Messiah, while others simply followed along. But, we can safely say that the nature of Christ’s Kingdom was still unknown to them.
b) They shouted before Him with loud hosannas. (See Rev. 7:10)
(1) This is quoted from Psa. 118:25, 26. We see here how acquainted they were with the Scriptures, and how they applied the words of the psalmist to Messiah.
(2) They acknowledge Jesus to be “the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
(3) “Hosanna.” This Hebrew word signifies, “save now, we beseech thee.”
(a) Though they understood that Psalm 118 had special reference to Messiah, the salvation they looked for was of a temporal nature.
(b) Not even the disciples at the time fully understood the spiritual nature of Messiah’s Kingdom. Neither did they yet understand the universal and spiritual nature of His deliverance. (Ch. 11:51, 52)

B. THE UNUSUAL ACCOMMODATION THAT PROVIDENCE HAD ARRANGED FOR JESUS TO MAKE HIS ENTRANCE. (VERSES 14, 15; ZECH. 9:9)
1. John tells of the procuring of the young ass upon which Jesus would sit, but he does not mention the prearrangement that went before. (See Matt. 21:1-4; Luke 19:29-34) Christ’s sovereignty is seen in a number of remarkable details:
a) That He knew exactly where the animals would be tied;
b) That the man willingly surrendered his animal upon request;
c) That the mother allowed her colt to be taken without protest;
d) That an unbroken ass would submit to a rider.
2. This was done in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy. (Verse 15; Zech. 9:9)
3. Christ Himself arranged His steed, knowing that a King riding in triumph would be expected to have a chariot like that of Solomon (Song of Sol. 3:9, 10); or to ride upon a white horse like that belonging to King Ahasuerus upon which Mordecai sat. (Est. 6:7-11)
4. According to the fashion of this world, to be introduced in this lowly fashion was rather a disparagement than an honor.
a) Christ’s Kingdom was not of this world, and therefore came not with outward pomp.
b) He was now humbling Himself, but in His exalted state John sees Him “on a white horse with a bow and a crown.”
5. The “daughter of Zion” is called upon to behold her King.

C. JOHN REMARKS THAT THE DISCIPLES, (HE BEING ONE OF THEM) HAD A VERY IMPERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF THIS. (VERSE 16)
1. They, at this time, did not understand why Christ did this, and how the Scripture was fulfilled.
2. But, when Jesus was glorified, and thereupon, the Spirit poured out, then they remembered that these things were written of Him in the Old Testament.
3. Many things which Jesus did and said they were not able to comprehend, and did not fully understand until after the Holy Spirit came. (Ch. 2:22; 7:38, 39)
4. “Then remembered they the things that were written.” By the Holy Spirit we are able to see and understand in all of the Scriptures the things that are written of Christ.

D. THE REASON GIVEN FOR WHY THE PEOPLE DID THIS WAS THE GREAT MIRACLE THAT JESUS WROUGHT IN RAISING LAZARUS. (VERSES 17, 18)
1. There was apparently a very considerable number of people who were present at Bethany to witness the miracle.
2. Though many remained enemies of Christ, a great number of them believed and now bear record of what they saw.
a) They testified that “He called Lazarus out of the grave.”
b) Then giving double emphasis, they added, “and raised him from the dead.”
3. Because of the many who bore record of what Jesus did, a great multitude of others joined with them in showing this honor to Christ as Messiah.

E. THERE WAS GREAT INDIGNATION AND VEXATION ON THE PART OF THE COUNCIL OVER WHAT WAS HAPPENING. (VERSE 19)
1. Some of them saw it, and the others learned of it from them.
2. They had to acknowledge that they had not succeeded in their efforts to engage the people against Christ. “Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing.”
3. They also had to acknowledge that the ground He had gained was overwhelming.
4. Thus, they will excite themselves and one another to a more vigorous carrying on of war against Christ.

II. NEXT WE HAVE THE HONOR THAT WAS SHOWN TO CHRIST BY THE GREEKS WHO INQUIRED AFTER HIM. (VERSES 20-26) We are not told on what day of Christ’s last week this was, probably not the same day that He rode into Jerusalem, but perhaps a day or two after.

A. CERTAIN GREEKS WHO CAME TO THE FEAST WANTED TO SEE JESUS. (VERSE 20)
1. These were apparently proselytes to Judaism, and as such were regular attendants of the Jewish feasts.
2. There were devout worshippers of the true God even among those who were strangers to the commonwealth of Israel. This was a happy presage of the taking down of the middle of partition between Jew and Gentile. (Eph. 2:14)

B. THESE GREEK WORSHIPPERS ACTED UPON THEIR DESIRE TO SEE JESUS. (VERSES 21, 22)
1. They were not detoured in their pursuit by the huge crowd that pressed Jesus.
2. They made application to one of His disciples. “The same therefore came to Philip.” They probably came to Philip simply because he was the first of Jesus’ disciples they saw, and they figured he would have access.
3. Philip consults with Andrew, Peter’s brother, and a senior fellow. The two agreed what was to be done. (Verse 22)

C. CHRIST’S ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR REQUEST AND THE HONOR SHOWN IN IT IS SIGNIFIED BY WHAT HE SAID TO THE PEOPLE. (VERSES 23-26)
1. The inquiry of the Greeks seems to be key to Christ’s opening words. “The hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified,” i.e. when He should be put to death and raised again on the third day.
a) The Gentiles were beginning to inquire after Him, thus the hour had manifestly come in which He should finish His work and should fully set up His Kingdom by His death, resurrection, and ascension.
b) The hour for Christ to finish His ministry was fixed and appointed. ‘Til it came, the Jews were powerless to stop Him, but now, His hour is come in which “One should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” (Ch. 11:51, 52)
c) Thus we see the significance of this inquiry and desire on the part of Gentile seekers.
2. Jesus illustrates the great Scriptural truth of one dying so that as a result many shall have life. By His resurrection all of the children of God for whom He died shall be raised; in His glorification they all shall be glorified. (Vs. 24)
a) If Christ had not died, He would abide alone.
b) But, because Christ’s death on the cross is the full satisfaction and atonement for the sin of His people it results in life for them all.
3. In Verse 25 we have one of our Lord’s most often repeated sayings. “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life…shall keep it.”
a) This identifies those who have this life that comes by Christ’s death.
b) Their whole purpose of life is changed, whereas they once lived for self, now they live for Him. (Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:1-3; I Cor. 6:19, 20)
4. Verse 26, which further explains Verse 25, seems spoken for the benefit of those Greeks who sought to see Him, and for all who desire to become His disciples.
a) Christ’s true disciples follow Him. (Ch. 10:27)
b) Christ’s true disciples attend His repose. Christ is where His church is’ and there let His servants be.
c) Note the rich promises Christ makes to His servants.
(1) First, they shall be happily in His presence. “Where I am, there shall my servants be”
(2) Secondly, they shall be honored by His Father. The rewarder is God Himself. (Prov. 27:18)