John 12:12-24 Bible Teaching

John 12.26
August 3rd 2014
Milk
Welcome, welcome – whether you are in our live congregation and are tuning in through live streaming or in the archives – thanks for joining with us.

If you haven’t been here before we take a deconstructed view of “doing church” and believe every human being is individually responsible for their walk, faith in God, and the love they share for God and Man.

We “gather” to pray together, sing the word of God, hear the word of God taught, fellowship and then leave better equipped to serve in love.

So let’s begin with a prayer, then we will sing the Word of God, sit for a minute in silent reflection then pick our study back up in John 12 verse 12.

Now, we are about to enter into Jerusalem with Jesus before the Passover where He (instead of a lamb) will be offered up for the sins of the world.

You would think that this ride into Jerusalem (known as His triumphal entry) would then be followed in John’s narrative by a bunch of events but in actuality we are presented with almost five full chapter of Jesus teaching his disciples some things before His passion begins.

And these teachings are some of the most poignant in the Bible. But first, the Lord is going to leave Bethany (where He has been enjoying a dinner) with Lazarus and Mary and Martha at Simon who was once a lepers house and make his entry.

So let’s read our text for the day beginning at verse 12 of chapter 12:

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
Zec 9:9
16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

Now before we proceed I’d like to consult the other gospel accounts for additional information to the triumphal entry.

We’ll begin with Matthew chapter 21 verse 1, then go to Mark 11:1, the Luke 19:28.

Matthew 21:1 reads:

Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Mark 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.
4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.
5 And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt?
6 And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.
7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

Then Luke’s account, the most detailed of the four, says:

Luke 19:28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Okay, back to John 12 beginning at verse 12 and 13:

John 12:12-13

On the next day (meaning after the dinner where Jesus was anointed) much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

So let’s just look at some of the common factors in all the stories beginning with what’s the deal with Palm branches?

Simply put it was a way by ancient tradition that conquerors and princes were honored.

Similarly other cultures cast flowers, garlands, or evergreens before warriors or kings.

Josephus wrote that Alexander and Agrippa were also received at Jerusalem by a line of waving palms so it was very traditional practice which probably got under the skin even more of the Pharisees.

John says that these branches were branches of the palm-tree, which, according to the Apocraphal book of Maccabees is an emblem of joy and victory and which were apparently used by the Roman soldiers (as well as the Jews) as a symbol of peace.

So in comes Jesus into the City of David. It was a triumphal entry and it appears that those who were waving the Palm frons were first hand believers or those who believed on what was said of Him and came to finally see Him in person.

(verse1 14)
14 And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon;

Now, John doesn’t go into how Jesus found the animals to enter on but the other gospels (especially Luke) go into it.

John does mention that His riding in on an ass was a prophecy fulfilled and cites Zechariah 9:9 as the source, saying

“as it is written,
15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.”

I have an old friend – a Messianic Jew – who was literally converted to Christ by Zechariah 9:9 when he was actually in synagogue and when it was read he said He was struck with the idea that NOBODY rides into Jerusalem today on a donkey – therefore the Messiah must have come anciently.

Where Mark and Luke and John all report Jesus riding in on the colt (singular of an ass) Matthew reports (in the King James) that the Lord was

“sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”

Because of this you will see paintings of Jesus sort of sitting on a larger animal (the ass) with His legs stretched out over a smaller animal (her colt).

Because Matthew was writing to the Jews it seems he quoted Zechariah right because this is what the prophecy actually says:

9. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

But the other accounts only seem to mention the one – the colt of the ass which, by the way, Mark and Luke add, had never been ridden upon.

Matthew also says that the people placed their clothes on both. So what are we to think?

First, I do not believe Jesus rode in on both animals as the paintings suggest. He could have I suppose but that seems like a stretch employed to fulfil scripture to perfection.

Second, because Mark, Luke and John only mention the colt does not mean its father was not present right along with it.
(I say its father because the Hebrew language suggests the ass was male – as most asses are).

Third, the people placed their clothing on the backs of both prior to Jesus sitting upon the colt perhaps because they did not know which one Jesus was going to ride.

Fourth, I think He rode the colt of the ass because it was the colt that had never been ridden before and His riding in on it was yet another glimmer that showed that He had control of the whole situation before Him – as much as He had control of the colt beneath Him and the demons around Him, and the storms on the sea, and disease, and even over death!

Now, the synoptic gospels all concur that Jesus sent two disciples to go and find the animals, where John only says:

“and Jesus, when He found a young ass . . .” implying that Jesus located the animal and then rode it but the other accounts suggest otherwise.

Having cited the Old Testament passage from Zechariah 9:9 that foretold of the Lord arriving upon the colt of an ass John then says (verse 16)

16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

So apparently, as it is with many things we experience first hand, we don’t really understand the historical import of what is happening until after the fact. In this case, the prophetic import was lost on them until after He was glorified.

Additionally, it seems that as Jesus passed by on the colt, and the palms were waving, the people who witnessed Him raise Lazarus from the dead bare record of it, apparently through verbal expressions and this caused many others to come and see the one who had power even over death. This caused John to write:

17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

I suppose that if there was ever a moment when the Pharisees were going to really be concerned about the power and influence Jesus was wielding over the people it would be here at His triumphal entry. Just listen to how they respond:

19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

Taking these words in context we know that some of the Pharisees had and were attempting to quell Jesus influence and had instituted a number of different approaches to attempt it.

Not long ago Caiaphus, the chief priest actually said to them at a meeting:

“You know nothing at all,” (meaning all of your attempts are foolish,” after which he proceeded to tell them that Jesus had to die

It seems some of this attitude was still with them as John said that they said among themselves as Jesus passed by:

“Do you see how you have not prevailed in the least in your efforts to stop Him?”

And then they add a classic Hebraism:

“Behold, the WORLD is gone after Him.”

I point this out as a classic Hebraism because so much foolishness has occurred in the annals of Christian thought relative to its use.

Now, the term used here to represent “a large or a potentially number” is world and in the Greek the term means the whole earth (and actually) the sky and space too . . . Kosmos is the term.

But look at the situation – Jesus is riding a colt into Jerusalem and people have grabbed palm frons and are welcoming His entrance and the Pharisees say:

“The world has gone after Him.”

This phraseology popular among Hebrew writers has led to very excitable people today claiming that a lot of things have happened “to the whole world” when in reality they have happened to or in only part of the earth.

For example, in Genesis 41:56 Moses wrote:

“And famine was over all the face of the earth” some excitables would demand that we are to believe that famine was world wide at that time – including Alaska and Hawaii. Probably not.

It can be so tempting to be dogmatic on points like this, there’s almost a feeling of security when we make such stances but the problem is the stances don’t always hold up to scrutiny and therefore lead to disappointment and LOSS of faith for people instead of increasing it.

Later Moses wrote that God had said that he would put the “fear of Moses” upon the Nations of the whole earth but it is doubtful that the Japanese Samurai were fearful of Moses back then.

Samuel described all nations as “eating and drinking and dancing,” but it’s doubtful that the indigenous peoples of Newfoundland were following suit.

Jeremiah wrote: “And all the earth sought Solomon.” But again, were the Irish seeking Solomon? Probably not.

Even in the New Testament Paul used a Hebraism when he wrote:

“Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world,” but it is highly unlikely that the aborigines in austrailia were speaking of this faith.

I mention this because we are in an age where dogma must take a back seat to
faithful reason. We have to seek God in truth because the faith cannot be sustained by foolish claims anymore.

Certainly, there are difficulties that we will take on faith, but we can eliminate many of them if we would just allow the Word of God to work reasonably in our lives and by the Spirit.

Such an approach is not acting faithlessly but as seekers of His truths.

So let’s read on – verses 20-26 – which will provide us with some excellent instruction from the Lord.

Ready? Verse 20

20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, “Sir, we would see Jesus.”
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.”

20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:

Now, whether these were actual Greeks or Jewish Greeks or simple pagans is not known.

In the original, it does not say Greeks but “some Hellenists”—which was the name that could have been given to

1 actual Greeks, or
2 to Jews who had been influenced by Greek culture, and/or
3 anyone pagan or gentile (non-Jew) that had come from the world outside of Israel.

We might ask why would non-Jewish Greek pagans attend the Jewish celebration of Passover and, as John puts it, come to worship.

Bible scholar and researcher Lightfoot discovered that the surrounding pagans were accustomed not only to send presents, sacrifices, and offerings to the temple, but that they also frequently attended the great feasts of the Jews.

For this reason the outer court of the temple grounds were called the court of the Gentiles. John continues and says:

21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

We don’t know why they asked to see Him but we do know the Greek for see is not to just physically view Him but to understand Him, perhaps His purpose, His message, His Gospel.

So these Greeks (of whatever nature they were) came to Philip first. (verse 22)

22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

Maybe Philip was intimidated and wasn’t sure if Jesus would want to spend time with these “hellenists” (since He came physically for the lost sheep of the House of Israel) and therefore he went to Andrew because there’s security in numbers and then they went to Jesus with the request.

Here’s the strange thing – we really don’t know what they wanted to see the Lord about. A question is never asked.

All we have is them wanting an audience and His providing an “answer” to a question John never gives!

It is truly quixotic.

Now, we could try and guess what the questions were based on Jesus “answers.”

But we are really just left with what Jesus says in response. And this is what He says:

23 The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

The appointed time – which could have been a literal hour, or a day, or a month – but the time has come that “The Son of Man” should be glorified.

Now, I think this title He assigns to Himself is significant – the Son of Man.

If refers to His human nature because a Son of Man is certainly NOT referring to Him being the Son of God (which He was).

This is the favorite title which Jesus gives to himself, denoting his union with man, and the interest he felt in our welfare.

Here is the deal – as the Son of Man he was not glorified – yet.

He says here that the time had come for Him TO BE glorified. In fact, as the Son of Man Jesus was below all things – the lowest of low. Humble, poor, and despised and by and through suffering His flesh to conform to the will of God He learned obedience.

The Son of God was God – there was no learning and overcoming. But in flesh, as the Son of Man, the Lord, on our behalf, overcame the very flesh that makes the rest of us sinful.

And as a result the Son of Man – this Son of Man, was about to be glorified – “doxadzo” in the Greek, which means “rendered glorious.”

We cannot lose track of the fact that Jesus was fully the Son . . . of Man. And it is by and through Him and Him alone – our faith on His life, His death, His resurrection, His honor, and the glory the Son obtained from the Father through obedience that we are made righteous.

I stress this because we cannot discount Jesus humanity. It was full and fully felt. And He became the Son of Man because God so loved us – it was the only way to save us and remain just.

Now.

What Jesus is about to say is some of the best lines in the entire Bible.

That’s a huge statement because almost every line is important, and within every page there are truly golden nuggets of truth.

But what He is about to say (LISTEN) “AS THE SON OF MAN WHO IS ABOUT TO BE GLORIFIED” is so important to the Christian walk I am tempted to say that it says it all.

(beat)

We talk a lot about faith – and faith in Him is the first step toward the Christian goal.

But faith is NOT the goal, it is the means to an end and the end of the Christian life is . . .

(drum roll)?
(beat)

Fruit. And not just any fruit. Listen to what Jesus says.

He has just told His audience that the Son of Man (that means His relationship to you and I) is about to be glorified . . .

He, as “God with us” was about to pass all things and receive the honor of God as one of us.

And after saying that He was about to be glorified he says:

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Now, as I’m sure you are familiar, whenever Jesus says, “Verily, verily,” He means, “Listen to me because what I am about to say is something very important.”

Now, it could have been thought by some who had witnessed His triumphal entry that He was now entering into His reign.

Maybe these Greeks and those who were waving the palm frons were celebrating the fact that He was about to establish His kingdom here on earth.

Maybe the Greek visitors were telling Him that they were all really behind His purpose and cause and wanted to be part of His cabinet in the far reaches of the land.

Whatever was said Jesus responds with a line that they could have actually taken some physical hope in – “the Son of Man is about to be glorified.”

If they took this as to mean He was about to assume revolutionary rule over a physical kingdom that line would have excited them like no other, right?

But what He says next reveals that the way He was about to ultimately be glorified was through . . . His death.

It is doubtful this is what they expected.

And in a tremendous teaching moment the Lord explains how and why this was necessary and the lesson presented applied both to Him FIRST (as the Son of Man) and then because of His setting the system down or in place, it applies to everyone who follows Him.

So what does He say? The master teacher appeals to the agrestic world these people would understand and He likens His death (and therefore, those who follow Him) to a gorgeous truth straight out of agriculture, saying:

“Except (or unless) a corn of wheat (a grain) fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but . . . if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

Let’s first talk about the obvious application this verse has to the Son of Man and then we’ll wrap it up by looking at the application it was to those who become Son’s and Daughters of God by and through His death.

When we look out onto a golden field of grain and see those giant harvesters cutting paths and gathering humongous quantities of food it all is the direct result of the fact that other grains had died.

If the other grains had not died, but went and said no, this is my life and I refuse to die and be buried, there would not have been a harvest in the field.

What happens with grain is the whole part of it dies and decomposes in the earth except for the germ – it actually lives on the decomposing substance of the grain which constitutes the germs nourishment until the tender germ can survive on its own and pull nourishment directly from the ground.

But the grain has to die first. And when it does, the germ can grow underground and bring forth a plant that holds a hundred plus seeds. And the process is repeated over and over to greater and greater numbers.

But the point is, in order for more seeds (fruit) to be given life, one seed has to die. And in dying, greater fruit is possible.

Of course, in the case of the Lord, He was the one seed and the only seed, that could or would have to die for ANY other seeds to take root and be harvested.

Had He not chosen to give up His life, there would have been no harvest of souls thereafter.

So He is first likening Himself to a seed that agrees to die and be buried so as to produce more fruit for the harvest.

Harvest of what? In this case, the harvest of souls.

Notice that He says

“Unless a corn of wheat (a grain) fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but . . . if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

Another way to read this would be that if a grain refuses to fall to the ground and die it “abides alone” OR produces nothing more from its existence.

In the case of Christ we can see that He chose to fall into the ground and die, and not live for Himself, and by and through this choice, He will produce a great abundance of fruit – the purpose of His life and death and sacrifice – to produce fruit for God.

Hebrews 2:9 says this:

“We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor.”

Philippians 2:8,9: “He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,”

Hebrews 12:2, speaking of Jesus says: “Who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

And as a result of His willingness to fall to the ground and die and bring forth such a harvest for God Ephesians 1:21-23 says that the Son of Man is:

“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and God hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

Here’s the key folks. Jesus, here on His way to the cross, was modeling for all who would become joint-heirs with Him the process.

Listen –

The purpose of the Christian life is to produce fruits of love. These can only be harvested when a believer chooses to fall to the ground and die to their lives as Jesus chose to do the same.

Paul wrote to the believers at Roman

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Here, the sacrifice of the Son of Man, made possible by the fullness of God in Him, has been presented to the world as a means for each of us, by and through the exact same process Jesus faced, to become Sons (and daughters) of God, joint heirs with Christ “IF so be that we suffer with Him.”

This principle, so beautifully expressed here by the Lord, of He Himself dying to self so as to produce fruit for God’s harvest, is then made clear in the next verse in John where Jesus adds:

25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.

We will cover these two verses in more detail next week.

Q and A?

Illustration of John 12:24 (added May 8th 2015)

The Air is Spirit
FRUIT
Tree grows up.
Produces fruits of love
Takes time / related to faith roots
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________(seed of love) ___0________(topsoil____________________
ROOT
The Soil is Flesh
“The deeper the root the greater the fruit.”
Die daily
Humble yourself
Hearing word take seed and gives it roots of faith