John: The Purpose of Jesus

2021-06-27 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Today, we arrive at the final Gospel. Although there are four books we call the Gospels, this last one is different than the other three. The book of John stands alone in its style and message where the other three (called the synoptic Gospels) stand together. The synoptic Gospels talk much about what Jesus said and did…John talks about who Jesus is. 

Over the last three weeks, we’ve examined the ministry of Jesus through His actions and His teachings but today we talk about His purpose.

John 12:20-36 (CSB) Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 27 “Now my soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.”, Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for me, but for you. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he was about to die. 34 Then the crowd replied to him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them. 

1. Jesus explains the importance of His death

Vss 23-26 Jesus replied to them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me. Where I am, there my servant also will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

• Jesus explains the “WHY” of his coming to earth – to die so we might live
• Verse 25 uses the word “life” in two different ways 
  

2. Jesus explains the purpose of His life 

Vs 27 Now my soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour.

• Jesus makes it clear the only reason He was here was to die
• His prayer in a time of need is once again instructive to us 
  

3. Jesus explains the victory within His actions 

Vss 28-33 Father, glorify your name.”, Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus responded, “This voice came, not for me, but for you. 31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he was about to die.

• God spoke from Heaven for the third time during Jesus’ time on earth (i.e. His baptism, the transfiguration)
• He spoke of how God had been glorified through what Jesus had already done and how He would be glorified through what Jesus was about to do
• Verse 32 doesn’t refer to a “universal” salvation. He is reinforcing His statement in John 3:14-15

John 3:14-15 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life 

4. Jesus explains the response necessary 

Vss 34-36 Then the crowd replied to him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus said this, then went away and hid from them.

• The message of Jesus’ entire time on earth is found in verse 36 – BELIEVE!