Basic Recap of Sunday’s Sermon: “Look Up at Jesus” John 12:27-36

We praise certain people because of what they do, with the expectation that they will do even great things for which we will give them more praise. So for instance, a star athlete will get glorified and become even more glorified by society as he does further athletic feats. When Jesus entered into Jerusalem he came with much fanfare and attention. People were already praising him and expecting him to do great things. Jesus however doesn't accommodate those expectations. Instead he challenges their notion of what it will mean for him to be glorified. Indeed, Jesus' concern was not to gain glory from the crowd but to make sure that glory would be given to God. And stunningly, this would happen through his death on the cross.

The passage begins with Jesus looking ahead to what was in store with him at the cross and being understandably anxious but also committed to this purpose for the sake of God's glory (v.27-28). He then unpacks for us exactly how God is glorified in and through his death. First, the cross is shown to be glorious because it brings judgment (v.31). While the world would think that they were judging Jesus, in fact they would be judged by God through Jesus. Second, the cross is shown to be glorious because it means that Satan's unstoppable reign over the world has ended. The death of Jesus meant to the end of Satan's dominion over the world. No longer could Satan keep human hearts enslaved. He must step aside every time anyone looks to Jesus and puts their faith in him and what he accomplished on the cross. Third and lastly, the cross is shown to be glorious because it means all kinds of people will be drawn to Jesus and in him find life and hope. Jesus was lifted up to death on a cross, but this in turn was but a stepping stone to Jesus being enthroned in heaven at the right hand of God (cf Philippians 2:8-9). In so doing Jesus would make it possible for people of all types – no matter the race or background or social status – to be drawn together around Jesus. The cross strips away all pretensions and illusions, puts you there before Jesus, and says, "Look what he did for you. Now live for God through what he did!"

The crowd gathered around Jesus as he said these things unfortunately did not understand what he was saying or simply did not want to understand because they were too tied to their preconceived notions about what kind of person the Messiah should be. Nevertheless, Jesus presses them to believe in him, while they have the time. This remains true today. Jesus is presented before us and we have two choices. We can step closer to him and let his light flood into our lives so that we can see and understand life as we should, being transformed by this encounter so that we are forever connected to that light as "sons of light" (v. 36). Or we can step back from him, retreating further into the darkness and remain confined to the old ways in which we've been living our lives, forever wandering in darkness. These are the choices, and today is the day to make your choice and live forever by it.