Every now and then I enjoy a good road trip. It is fun to travel to new places and see new things. As you are traveling, it is important to pay attention to the road signs, particularly the mile signs. It is helpful to know how far you are from your destination. As you get closer, the excitement builds. In some cases, you may be going somewhere that is not that enjoyable and the closer you get, the more anxiety you feel.
Throughout the Gospel of John, we are told of various signs that pointed to who Jesus is. These signs include the miracles that Jesus performed. The raising of Lazarus was the biggest sign. After all, who else has power over death other than God? Each sign built upon the other and brought Jesus closer and closer to the cross. In the passage at hand, we see Jesus speaking of what is soon to come. The cross looms very near and Jesus speaks with those around Him concerning the cross.
In this passage there are three major things we see concerning the cross. We learn from the prophecy of Jesus, the prophecy of Isaiah, and the mission of Jesus.
The Prophecy of Jesus. The cross is something that Jesus hinted about throughout His ministry. Here, we find Jesus being a little more specific concerning what He was about to endure. The first thing that Jesus states is: I will die. Verse 23 says, “But Jesus answered them, saying, The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.”[1] Here, Jesus is referring to His death on the cross. In His death, He is glorified. The Bible Knowledge Commentary states, “For most people death is their humiliation. But for Jesus death was His means of entry into glory. His willingness to die for others’ sins in obedience to the Father (Isa. 53:10, 12) brought Him renown (glory; cf. John 12:16; 17:1, 5).”[2] There are few people that would admit to looking forward to dying. Jesus, no doubt, was not looking forward to the sufferings of the cross, nevertheless, He was looking forward to completing His mission to bring salvation to the world. He was also looking forward to the glory to which He would be restored as He gives His life for those who He created.
The second thing that Jesus states in His prophecy is: I will bring much fruit. Verse 24-26 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”[3] The illustration that Jesus gives is simple, yet, profound. In layman’s terms, Jesus is saying that death is necessary for a harvest. A kernel of wheat falls or dies and it produces many seeds that brings new life. Jesus words illustrate that death to self leads to life. The death of Jesus opens the door for life. He is the kernel of wheat that brings forth much fruit. For one to follow Jesus, he must die to self. Galatians 5:24 says, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”[4] Saying no to self and yes to Jesus is the key to eternal life. As a result of Jesus’ death on the cross, many will believe on Him and will be given eternal life. Jesus brings much fruit.
Thirdly, Jesus states: I will be lifted up. As Jesus speaks concerning His death, a voice from Heaven is heard stating that Jesus has been glorified and will be glorified again. This is similar to the voice heard at the baptism of Jesus. The voice did not come, Jesus says, for His own sake, but for those who heard it that they might believe. It is in this context that Jesus says in verses 32-33, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. This He said, signifying by what death He would die.”[5]Jesus here is referring to being lifted up on the cross of Calvary. As Jesus is lifted up on the cross, all people groups from every nation are drawn to Him and are saved. People are drawn to Jesus when they see Jesus. For us today, we should live in such a way that our lives show people Jesus. We should live in a way that lifts up Jesus. In so doing, many may be saved.
The final piece of Jesus’ prophecy concerning His death is found in His statement: I am the light of the world. Notice what is recorded in verses 34-36. “The people answered Him, We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man? Then Jesus said to them, A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.”[6] Jesus makes it clear that He is the light, but the people did not understand what He was talking about. Later Jesus says in verse 46, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”[7] We were born in the darkness of sin. If we remain in that darkness, we have no hope and will be separated from God forever. However, Jesus is the light. He came to rescue us from the darkness and bring us into the light of life.
As Jesus predicts His death on the cross, the people around did not fully understand. However, Jesus could not make it any clearer. Everything that Jesus said would happen, did. Yet, another proof that He truly is who He says He is.
The Prophecy of Isaiah. In addition to the prophecy of Jesus, John also records a prophecy from Isaiah. Notice verses 37-43. “But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him,that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore, they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them. These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”[8] Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be rejected by His own people. Because of their unbelief, they are blind to the truth. Their hearts are hardened because of their continuous disbelief. Some of the religious leaders did believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but they refused to make it known, because they were afraid of losing their position. There are two lessons we can learn here. (1) God hardens the hearts of those who refuse to believe. The longer one goes without believing when they have heard the truth, the harder their heart becomes. This is why child evangelism is so important. The older someone gets, the harder their heart becomes. Eventually it gets to a place where all hope is lost. The important thing is to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit immediately, lest our hearts become hardened. (2) Don’t be ashamed of Jesus. Some religious leaders believed who Jesus was, but hid it. The question is whether or not they truly believed in the first place. If you truly believe in Jesus, you will not be ashamed. Don’t hide the fact that you are a believer. Make it known. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus.
The Mission of Jesus. Jesus came to do the will of the Father. He came to earth on a mission. That mission culminates in the cross. His mission is to bring the world unto Himself. He came to bring salvation to all who would believe in Him. The mission of Jesus has also been given to us. We are to live on mission to bring people to Jesus. As we reflect on what Jesus has done for us, we cannot keep it to ourselves. We must tell the world about Jesus.
The cross of our Lord is the pinnacle of history. The cross is a crisis point. It is a point of decision. At the cross, you must decide. Will you reject Jesus or will you believe in Jesus?
[1] The New King James Version (Jn 12:23). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 317). Victor Books.
[3] The New King James Version (Jn 12:24). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[4] The New King James Version (Ga 5:24). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[5] The New King James Version (Jn 12:32–33). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[6] The New King James Version (Jn 12:34–36). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[7] The New King James Version (Jn 12:46). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[8] The New King James Version (Jn 12:37–43). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 