Triumphal Entry
10 March 2013 PM – John 12:12-50 – Scott Childs
Introduction: From a human perspective, this may have been the summit of Christ’s earthly glory before the cross. Crowds excitedly praised him as the King. Jesus knew that his true followers were not the emotional fans but those who placed their trust in him to forgive their sin and give them life eternal. Thus, Jesus kept his focus on the cross.
Transition: This evening we are going to examine the events that took place the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a young donkey as the King.
I. Christ’s Entry into Jerusalem Jn 12:12-19
A. The day after the Bethany meal (12-16)
1. Jesus headed for Jerusalem. Remember, his last visit to Jerusalem ended with a threat on his life.
2. When the crowds heard that Jesus was coming, they took palm branches and went to meet him.
Constable tells us that, The waving of date palm fronds (i.e., branches) had become a common practice at national celebrations in Israel (Lev. 23:40). Palm fronds had become a national symbol.
Those who call his triumphal entry “Palm Sunday” wrongly assumes that the Passover was on Friday and that Christ died on Friday. Scripture evidence points to a Wednesday afternoon death followed by the Passover Sabbath Thursday, the Unleavened Bread Sabbath Friday, the weekly Sabbath Saturday, and Sunday resurrection. Only this allows for three days and three nights in the grave.
3. The people excitedly praise Christ as the King of Israel as he rode in on a young donkey. This fulfils Zechariah’s prophesy.
Zechariah 9:9 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.
4. While it was happening, the disciples still did not grasp the significance. Seeing people excited to see Jesus was nothing new. Very likely, they were preoccupied by watching for the leaders who threatened to kill Jesus.
B. Eyewitnesses testify for Christ (17-19)
1. John tells us that those who saw Lazarus resurrected continually told others what they had seen.
2. This testimony urged the crowds to find and meet Jesus.
The best testimony for Christ is a convinced heart and a changed life. Keep telling people what Christ has done for you. Keep telling people what you are learning at church.
3. Again, the Pharisees are alarmed. Their threats had accomplished nothing in stopping Christ or turning people from him. As they saw it, the world had gone after Christ.
II. Some Greeks Seek Jesus Jn 12:20-26
A. The enquiry
1. These Greeks were probably not Jews who lived in Greece, but Gentiles who had adopted Judaism like the Ethiopian eunuch and like Cornelius.
2. Note that they asked Philip and he told Andrew and together they told Jesus. Perhaps they were not sure how to respond to Greeks.
B. The meeting
1. Jesus gave them a little sermon.
a) He would soon be glorified or honoured, but before his honour, he must suffer.
b) Like a grain, one must be buried before he can bear fruit. This is a death to self.
c) Receiving Christ is a life-changing choice. Those that love this life will lose eternal life. Those willing to hate this life will gain eternal life. Repentance and dying to self are at the heart of this statement.
d) Those choosing to serve Christ must follow him. They must abide with Christ. Those will God the Father honour.
2. The Greeks are not the only people who need this little gospel sermon. We all need it.
III. Jesus Foretells His Death Jn 12:27-36
A. Jesus talked to the Father
1. His soul was troubled as he approached the atonement.
a) He could ask the Father to deliver him from this hour.
b) Yet, it was for this very hour that he came to earth.
c) Instead, he prayed, “Father glorify thy name.”
2. The Father answered him from heaven.
a) The Father was glorified by the incarnation and life of Christ.
b) He would be honoured again by the death and resurrection of his Son.
3. God is very pleased with obedience and a willingness to do his will. This is true of us as well.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable [well pleasing], and perfect, will of God.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
4. On the cross, Christ judged both the world and the devil. By it, he also draws all men to Him. He is not willing that any perish, but every person must make his own choice.
B. Jesus urged the people to believe on him.
1. When the people heard that he would be lifted up (on a Roman cross), they asked whom the Son of man was? (34)
2. Earlier Jesus called himself the light of the world. Now he reminds them that while they have the light, they must believe.
a) This would make them children of the Light.
b) To delay would seal them in darkness.
Today, every person has a limited number of opportunities to respond to the Light of Christ. Death ends opportunities. If a person rejects or neglects Christ in this life, he will spend eternity in darkness.
IV. Multitudes Refuse to Believe on Christ Jn 12:37-50
A. Many ignored Christ’s miracles (37-41)
1. They refused to believe on him.
2. Isaiah prophesied this.
Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
3. They had previously been convicted and refused to believe so now they could not believe. Isaiah said again,
Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Not only does death close the door of opportunity, but sometimes unbelief itself closes that door. If God withdraws his conviction because a sinner refuses to surrender and believe, that person cannot believe. It is a fearful thing to ignore the conviction of God.
B. Some believed in secret (42-43)
1. Even among the rulers, many believed but they feared to confess him publicly. This is a sober reminder to us that only God sees the heart.
2. God knows all hearts. He is the Judge. While public confession of Christ is best, it is not a condition for salvation. Repentant faith is the only condition.
C. Jesus gives another gospel invitation (44-50)
1. To believe on Jesus is to believe on the Father. Again, he stressed his deity as one with the Father.
2. Christ is the Light that guides men out of darkness.
3. Jesus’ purpose during his incarnation was not to judge men but to provide salvation for them. However, all who reject Christ will one day be judged by the things he said, for he described the way to forgiveness and eternal life. (48)
4. All that the Father commanded him to say directs us to life everlasting.
Conclusion: Fans are often fickle. Jesus wants us to be true believers. Following Christ does cost, but it yields richly. Let’s urge unbelievers not to delay salvation. Time is short.
Song: Rescue the Perishing – 432