WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.080 Now let's turn back together to John chapter 12 in verse 20 onwards, 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:15.939 so that we might worship Jesus, God's glorified King. 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:25.320 Over, I guess, two years now, I remember sitting in a pizza place at the top of Leith Walk, 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:29.839 looking out when St. James' Quarter was still a building site, 00:00:30.339 --> 00:00:36.899 and I was having lunch there with a friend who was the site manager for the foundation work. 00:00:37.780 --> 00:00:44.840 His job was to know what each man was doing, what every machine was supposed to be doing. 00:00:46.679 --> 00:00:50.880 I suspect some of you will be like me, you find a building site utterly baffling and bewildering, 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:52.719 no idea how anybody knows what they're doing. 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:59.000 But he knew, and he knew the purpose for each person because he had the final plan. 00:00:59.899 --> 00:01:07.620 And it's true, isn't it, often it's knowing the final purpose that makes sense of present actions. 00:01:08.840 --> 00:01:15.599 And that's absolutely true for Christmas, it's true for the incarnation, God becoming man, becoming one of us. 00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:17.340 Why does that happen? 00:01:17.340 --> 00:01:22.460 Then we need to think final purpose, and we need to move towards Easter also. 00:01:23.240 --> 00:01:27.780 To recognize the Son of God became man, to die for our salvation. 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:33.920 In the birth of Jesus, we had the dawn of redeeming grace. 00:01:34.980 --> 00:01:40.719 Here is the next phase, here is the beginning of the fulfillment of God's loving rescue plan, 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:46.560 of sending his Son to pay our debt for sin, to purchase us for God. 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:52.780 That for all who know their needs of salvation, all who look to him by faith, 00:01:52.840 --> 00:01:59.299 like the Greeks that we read about here, we can find salvation, we can find redemption in Jesus. 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:08.539 So knowing the final purpose helps us to understand the action, understand the coming of Jesus. 00:02:08.740 --> 00:02:12.759 I want us to think of three wonderful things that we see here in this text. 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:16.139 There's a wonderful request from the Greeks. 00:02:17.139 --> 00:02:19.900 There's a wonderful example from Andrew the disciple, 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:24.680 and to think about the wonderful response of Jesus to tie it to Christmas, 00:02:25.219 --> 00:02:26.800 but to tie it to his coming. 00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:31.200 So the wonderful request, look at verse 20 and 21. 00:02:31.380 --> 00:02:35.080 There were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 00:02:35.240 --> 00:02:39.219 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. 00:02:39.380 --> 00:02:42.340 Sir, we would like to see Jesus. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:45.320 Two reasons this is a wonderful request. 00:02:45.420 --> 00:02:46.700 First, because of who is asking. 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:51.720 So here is John again as he records the gathering of hundreds of thousands of people 00:02:51.720 --> 00:02:53.200 to the Passover festival. 00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:59.039 He chooses to zoom in on these Greeks, these God-fearing Gentiles who have come to worship. 00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:06.219 And incidentally, John's gospel doesn't tell us, but the other gospel writers tell us that they're able to come to the temple 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:08.259 because Jesus has cleared the temple again. 00:03:08.339 --> 00:03:13.239 He has cleansed it, making worship possible for these non-Jews. 00:03:13.240 --> 00:03:20.540 So it's wonderful to think that in God's grace, he's drawing the nations to worship. 00:03:21.219 --> 00:03:23.500 It's that stream of grace that we see in the Old Testament. 00:03:23.640 --> 00:03:26.460 We thought about it a few weeks ago. 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:33.280 Even as the people left slavery in Egypt, some Egyptians went with them, having become part of the people of God. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:42.099 We can think about Rahab and Ruth, those prominent women in the genealogy of Jesus who are brought in from the nations. 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:50.139 We can even think about the city of Nineveh, spared by God's mercy when they turn in repentance. 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:54.860 But that stream of grace in the Old Testament becomes an overflowing ocean in the New Testament, doesn't it? 00:03:54.860 --> 00:04:01.100 We see it with Jesus in his ministry, welcoming Samaritans in. 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:05.780 We see in the book of Acts, ministry to the Gentiles. 00:04:05.900 --> 00:04:08.120 We see in church history there. 00:04:08.160 --> 00:04:13.440 And we see within 10 years, actually, after the death of Jesus in the mission enterprise, 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:17.540 that the gospel hits all four regions of the Roman Empire. 00:04:17.540 --> 00:04:24.699 And then we see and we enjoy being part of the expansion of the kingdom around the world. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:29.139 So the gospel even comes to Scotland and to us. 00:04:29.720 --> 00:04:33.960 And that's only because of God's redeeming love in Jesus. 00:04:34.100 --> 00:04:40.280 So it's wonderful to think for us who are not Jews that here are these Greeks who come to worship. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:43.800 But it's also a wonderful request because of what they ask. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:47.439 Sir, we want to see Jesus. 00:04:48.500 --> 00:04:49.600 They want an audience. 00:04:49.740 --> 00:04:50.439 They want an interview. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:51.660 They want to know more. 00:04:51.660 --> 00:04:55.480 Now, John doesn't tell us why they want to know more. 00:04:56.480 --> 00:05:02.700 It could be perhaps that they have heard the story about Lazarus and his resurrection from the dead as it spreads around the crowd. 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.820 Perhaps they've heard Jesus' words, I am the resurrection and the life. 00:05:06.520 --> 00:05:11.340 Perhaps as they've come to the temple and they're not sure whether they're going to get to the outer court and they're allowed in, 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:15.339 they want to meet the one who's given them access and allowed them to worship their God. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:17.479 But we don't know. 00:05:17.599 --> 00:05:24.539 But what we do know is that just like the Magi in Matthew chapter 2, they are led by God towards worship. 00:05:25.159 --> 00:05:30.039 Because when anyone chooses to worship God, that's a gift of God. 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:38.840 The Greeks here represent all people outside of Israel, outside of God's covenant. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:48.400 Everybody who's not a Christian where God in his grace has transformed our will so that we have that desire to see and to worship Jesus. 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:51.379 This is our story for Christians. 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:57.600 God has changed our hearts and our will to want to see Jesus. 00:05:58.600 --> 00:06:00.240 And so they ask this wonderful request. 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:02.560 Christmas, of course, is a time of request, isn't it? 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:06.500 Perhaps at our workplace we had to request time off on holiday. 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:12.519 Perhaps, boys and girls, you had lots of requests from your parents, what presents you might like, 00:06:12.579 --> 00:06:17.379 whether you could stay up late around Christmas, whether you could get up early at Christmas. 00:06:18.240 --> 00:06:18.839 We had that. 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:23.859 Perhaps we say to people, will you come and visit? 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:25.219 There's lots of requests that happen. 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:29.199 But these Greeks, they offer the most wonderful request. 00:06:30.219 --> 00:06:34.639 And in our best moments as Christians, isn't this the request that we long to hear? 00:06:34.739 --> 00:06:39.879 As parents and grandparents, isn't this our longing for our children and our grandchildren? 00:06:40.159 --> 00:06:43.679 They would want to see and to know and to worship Jesus for themselves. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:49.280 When we think about our friends and our family who are not Christians, isn't that what we want for them? 00:06:50.840 --> 00:06:54.019 That they would see the hope of the gospel. 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:56.139 They would see their need of salvation. 00:06:56.759 --> 00:06:59.199 And that they would want to know Jesus. 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:07.439 Isn't this always one of the high points of life in a church where God draws people so they're asking questions. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:08.740 Can you tell me about Jesus? 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:15.120 How can I become a Christian when people come with their need and their longing? 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:18.480 It's a wonderful request. 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:26.060 Before we move on from that request, two points by way of application. 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:32.560 These Greeks, I think, are a reminder to us always that nobody is unsavable. 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:39.060 In Ephesians 2, Paul talks to Gentiles who've become Christians. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:40.680 So like these Greeks. 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:44.600 And he reminds them, remember, that by nature, what were they? 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:46.740 They were separate from Christ. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:50.120 By nature, excluded from the people of God. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:55.060 By nature, foreigners to the covenant without hope and without God in the world. 00:07:55.220 --> 00:07:59.340 But now, Paul says to them, now you've been brought near. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:05.720 And I think there's a wonderful reminder all through the Bible that we shouldn't write anybody off. 00:08:05.720 --> 00:08:13.640 Indeed, if we're not Christians today, we shouldn't write ourselves off and imagine we are beyond grace. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:21.660 The whole Bible is full of people who, in our view, we might think they're very surprising candidates for God's kingdom. 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:26.700 But God, in his grace, chooses and delights to save and delights to surprise us. 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:32.600 And so even as we think of these Greeks being led by God to come and worship, 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:38.639 that it would increase our faith as we look around. 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:43.939 That it would increase our faith as we pray. 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:47.439 Pray for folks who seem so far from the kingdom. 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:59.420 Just by way of encouragement, we just heard yesterday of a family that we had known here when the boys were in nursery, now in the States. 00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:04.360 Somebody who'd tried out different religions who'd just recently come to faith. 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:10.460 God answers prayer in his timing, in his own perfect timing. 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:12.080 So we keep going. 00:09:12.140 --> 00:09:14.680 Here's an encouragement for us as we look to share our faith. 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:16.520 And we wonder, is this going to achieve anything? 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:18.340 Well, in God's grace it can. 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:24.899 And just to remind us, secondly as well, that it's God who gives the desire to see Jesus. 00:09:25.759 --> 00:09:27.679 We always need to remind ourselves of that. 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:31.259 That it's not natural to us, but it's by grace. 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:38.579 If we are Christians, if we've gathered here today, and let's be honest, it was difficult to gather here today with all the restrictions. 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:40.439 And we might have thought, well, church is going to be really different. 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:41.179 It's going to be quiet. 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:41.939 Why are we here? 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:45.960 If God puts that desire in our heart to come and worship Jesus, that's a gift. 00:09:45.960 --> 00:09:47.540 And we should thank him for that. 00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:51.879 And it's also our hope in evangelism, isn't it? 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:57.240 As we're thinking about sharing our faith, we recognize that, yes, we are called to do our part. 00:09:57.340 --> 00:10:00.879 We're called to know the gospel so we can communicate the gospel. 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:05.280 We're called to be drawn close to Christ to reflect his character. 00:10:05.280 --> 00:10:08.220 But we recognize it's only God who saves. 00:10:08.280 --> 00:10:09.420 That's his job. 00:10:09.419 --> 00:10:13.659 And so we do our part and we ask God to do his. 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:21.480 But it's also, I think, a reminder for us whenever we're coming to church or whenever we're reading the Bible that we should be asking for this spirit. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:23.079 What is it that we want? 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:24.600 We don't want to just go through the motions. 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:29.620 We don't want our coming to church or coming to God's word to just be routine. 00:10:30.459 --> 00:10:31.759 It's be a great prayer. 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:34.960 We want to see Jesus. 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:36.639 We come to church. 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:39.860 That would be what you would want from your preacher, sir. 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:41.000 We want to see Jesus. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:44.620 So it's a wonderful request. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:48.620 And then there's a wonderful example from Andrew. 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:52.439 Boys and girls, I've already given you a little bit of a clue. 00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:54.419 Patron saint of Scotland. 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:56.100 It's this guy here. 00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:58.019 This guy here in verse 22. 00:10:58.019 --> 00:11:00.379 So think about this. 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:03.179 The Greeks come with a request. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.120 We would like to see Jesus. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:04.720 They asked Philip. 00:11:04.840 --> 00:11:05.919 Philip went to tell Andrew. 00:11:06.439 --> 00:11:08.419 Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 00:11:09.259 --> 00:11:11.199 Andrew's a wonderful guy. 00:11:11.460 --> 00:11:13.659 You don't hear much about Andrew. 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:16.399 But we do hear about him twice in John's gospel. 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:18.679 We hear about him in John chapter 1. 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:25.919 He was one of the disciples of John the Baptist who then spent the day with Jesus. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:31.279 And as he spends the day with Jesus, and as he becomes persuaded that Jesus is the promised Messiah, 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:34.679 first thing he does is he goes to find his brother. 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:38.139 To find his brother Peter to say, we have found the Messiah. 00:11:38.699 --> 00:11:41.379 So he invites his brother to know Jesus. 00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:47.919 And then here, while it's not exactly clear, but you wonder whether the Greeks are not sure, 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:51.059 will Jesus welcome them? 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:54.759 And then we might perhaps ask, well, why does Philip go to Andrew? 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:56.419 Is Philip perhaps not sure? 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:57.819 Will Jesus welcome them? 00:11:57.979 --> 00:12:00.139 Andrew is in no doubt. 00:12:00.239 --> 00:12:03.500 So Andrew takes Philip to talk to Jesus. 00:12:04.199 --> 00:12:08.479 He wants to take others to Jesus to invite others in. 00:12:09.479 --> 00:12:11.039 And I think he's a wonderful example. 00:12:11.119 --> 00:12:12.539 And we think about him as our patron saint. 00:12:12.619 --> 00:12:15.059 Wouldn't this be wonderful if this was our mentality? 00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:22.039 As Christians, in 2022, that this would be our heart, which we think about sort of next year. 00:12:23.219 --> 00:12:24.819 To be thinking to our friends and family. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:26.139 Let me tell you about Jesus. 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.679 Wouldn't that be wonderful if that was our heart? 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:30.959 Would you like to read a gospel with me? 00:12:31.339 --> 00:12:33.959 If you're interested in discovering who Jesus really is. 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:36.199 Wouldn't that be a wonderful heart to have? 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:39.579 Would you like to come to church with me? 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:41.519 Invite someone in. 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:50.600 And my father-in-law, Clive, his testimony 50 years ago was being invited to church as a non-Christian and coming to faith. 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:53.720 And he shared in lockdown with his church. 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:58.860 And he said, let me encourage you all to remember the power of inviting someone to church. 00:12:58.960 --> 00:12:59.919 Don't give up on that. 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:03.720 But back to Andrew. 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:09.399 Andrew is in absolutely no doubt that Jesus is someone for them. 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:13.459 Jesus is someone who will welcome the Greeks. 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:15.959 And so he comes to tell Jesus. 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:19.319 What does Andrew know about Jesus? 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:21.399 He knows that he is God's saviour king. 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:23.059 And he knows that he has good news to share. 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:25.819 And he knows that he's good news not just for some, but for all. 00:13:27.079 --> 00:13:31.620 In that sense, Andrew reflects a spirit like that of the shepherds. 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:36.100 Remember the shepherds, they hear the wonderful news of good news, of great joy for all the people. 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:38.600 They go and they see the baby just as they've been told. 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:39.139 And what do they do? 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:41.000 They spread the word about Jesus. 00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:43.799 Wherever they go to, whoever will listen. 00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:46.419 They've heard good news and they don't want to keep it to themselves. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.259 They want to share. 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:55.779 Christmas, although this gets a little bit different, but it's a time we typically invite others into our joy, don't we? 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:57.799 We want others to share the joy that we have. 00:13:57.860 --> 00:14:03.200 So often our meals will be spent with family or perhaps we'll invite elderly neighbours. 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:07.160 Or we'll invite some folks who are on their own or some folks who are far from home. 00:14:07.160 --> 00:14:09.420 We want others to be invited into joy. 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:14.259 Wouldn't this be the very best invitation into joy we could ever give to someone? 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:22.659 Just as Andrew's inviting the Greeks to know the joy of Jesus, that we'd be inviting others to know that joy too. 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:25.559 The joy of being saved from sin. 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:28.559 The joy of meeting the one who would give eternal life. 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:31.120 Who gives us fellowship with God. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:37.080 Two basic points by way of applying this before we move on. 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:38.620 First to think about our prayers. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:42.220 Again, if anyone can be saved by faith. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:46.779 If anyone can be saved by God's amazing grace. 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:52.060 Then doesn't this give us encouragement to pray and to pray urgently and to pray with perseverance. 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:54.220 And to pray for boldness. 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:56.659 That God might use us. 00:14:56.659 --> 00:15:03.120 That we'd be praying for the Spirit to open people's hearts and minds to the truth of Jesus. 00:15:04.839 --> 00:15:09.259 As we read our Bibles, we encounter a God who loves to save. 00:15:09.339 --> 00:15:11.579 A God who sent his Son to be Saviour. 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:18.639 And we also encounter a God who loves to use ordinary Christians as his means of bringing people to himself. 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:22.299 So we pray and we act. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:27.519 But also, when we think about inviting people to Jesus, we need to think about the Gospel. 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:30.279 We need to think, who are we inviting people to meet? 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:36.419 And we want people to meet the real Jesus, don't we? 00:15:37.079 --> 00:15:42.159 To recognize that the baby born in Bethlehem is the Son of God. 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:44.139 Who became one of us. 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:47.899 Who identifies with us. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:49.840 Who was a suffering servant for us. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:52.460 Who came to perfectly represent us. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:55.059 Obedient where we are disobedient. 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:58.080 Law-keeping where we are law-breakers. 00:15:58.199 --> 00:16:04.279 And as our representative, he gave himself as that once for all perfect sacrifice. 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:08.019 Satisfying God's justice against sin. 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:11.460 And showing God's mercy to sinners. 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:15.860 And that by faith, as we look to Jesus, we can be forgiven. 00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:24.980 And this Jesus, who died then, rose and gives eternal life and rules and reigns in heaven. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:28.579 Until the day when he comes back to make everything new. 00:16:29.179 --> 00:16:31.259 And takes all his people to be with him forever. 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:35.679 That's the Jesus who we invite people to know. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:38.620 That's the Jesus who brings joy. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:41.620 So that's Andrew's wonderful example. 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:48.019 Last thing to notice is Jesus' wonderful response. 00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:52.639 So remember the request, sir, we would like to see Jesus. 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:56.219 As Andrew and Philip go to Jesus. 00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:58.439 Jesus replies in a surprising way. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:01.099 Verse 23, Jesus replied, 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:05.240 The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:11.200 And what becomes apparent is the focus for Jesus is not the meeting, 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:16.400 but the significance of the question that these Greeks are asking. 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:23.839 Three things that we can identify from Jesus' words in this text. 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:26.259 First to think about the hour. 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:27.940 So Jesus says in verse 23, 00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:31.140 The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:33.480 So that is a theme in John. 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.940 The hour is a theme in John. 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:37.420 Up until this point, the hour has not yet come. 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:41.119 But now, the hour has come. 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.359 What is that hour? 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:44.980 It's that hour of suffering and shame, 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:48.259 but also that hour of glory and being exalted. 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:56.980 And what we understand here is that Jesus knew his purpose. 00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:02.900 Jesus knew he had come to save sinners by his death on the cross. 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:06.660 And that explains the actions of his life. 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:11.920 It explains his birth, his humble birth, his humble life, 00:18:12.140 --> 00:18:17.019 because he knew he'd come to be the suffering servant. 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:23.359 So thinking about that final goal of salvation helps to explain his actions. 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:29.379 And we see the extent to which Jesus understands his purpose in verse 27, 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:31.200 where he says, 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:34.019 Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:36.420 Father, save me from this hour. 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:39.900 No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:44.220 So here is another point where we see Jesus looking ahead to the cross, 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:48.240 and he feels the horror of the cross, like in Gethsemane. 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.319 But what does he do? 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:51.860 He reminds himself of his purpose. 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:54.299 This is why I came. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:19:00.460 He was born in Bethlehem to die on Mount Calvary. 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.940 And Jesus knows that. 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:05.819 And Jesus goes obediently forward. 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:08.220 So he talks about the hour. 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:12.500 Then he talks about the seed in verse 24. 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.679 There he says, 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:18.939 Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:21.720 it remains only a single seed. 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:25.220 But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:26.919 So there's a picture from farming. 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.059 There's a picture of planting. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:31.639 Planting a single seed in the soil as it's covered. 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:33.679 Over it is, as it were, buried. 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:37.700 And it's in that burying and planting that it produces a crop. 00:19:38.320 --> 00:19:41.980 And Jesus is understanding this is a truth for him, 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:47.240 that his death and burial will produce a spiritual harvest. 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.680 It is the means of salvation, 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:55.080 the source of new life in the hearts of his people. 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:58.460 Jesus must die so we might live. 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:00.500 But then he applies it further as well. 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:04.119 He applies the principle to the lives of his followers. 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.460 Verse 25. 00:20:07.640 --> 00:20:09.420 Anyone who loves their life will lose it. 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:13.279 Well, anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:15.859 Dying to self and the rule of self, 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:18.799 choosing eternal life over the best life now, 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:24.000 is the way to enjoy and to receive eternal life. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:27.220 Whoever serves me must follow me. 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:29.380 And where I am, my servant also will be. 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:32.660 My father will honor the one who serves me. 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:38.980 To know honor from the father is to follow Jesus, our master, 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:42.019 in being willing to die to self 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:47.400 in order to live a life of self-giving, obedient sacrifice. 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:54.720 And then let's think about the glory that Jesus talks about. 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:57.360 His glory and his father's glory. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:02.640 Having said that it was for this very reason, 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:04.420 I came to this hour, verse 28. 00:21:04.560 --> 00:21:04.920 He says, 00:21:05.080 --> 00:21:07.720 Father, glorify your name. 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.700 Then a voice came from heaven. 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:14.420 I have glorified it and will glorify it again. 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:18.820 So again, let's think of the pattern of Jesus' life 00:21:18.820 --> 00:21:21.840 from the manger to this point and beyond. 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:26.200 Jesus is the perfectly obedient son of God. 00:21:27.340 --> 00:21:31.580 Jesus is the one who always lived seeking his father's glory. 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:37.539 Jesus is the one who is always found doing his father's will. 00:21:38.600 --> 00:21:42.360 And this again is what makes him that perfect representative for us 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:45.919 because he succeeds at every point in which we fail. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:50.939 And so there is wonderful promise from Jesus in this hour 00:21:50.939 --> 00:21:53.579 which brings for him suffering and shame. 00:21:53.719 --> 00:21:56.319 It also brings for him glory. 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:59.299 The father declares he will be glorified. 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.199 And we need to ask ourselves, 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:03.279 well, how can there be glory in his death on the cross? 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:04.339 Where's the glory? 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:04.419 Where's the glory? 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:04.720 There is glory. 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.740 There is glory. 00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:12.920 And this represents the climax of Jesus' perfect obedience. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:18.880 There is glory as we see a completion of God's plan of salvation. 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:23.620 There is glory in this demonstration of God's redeeming love 00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:25.500 for sinners like us. 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:31.240 So the Greeks come with their request. 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:38.599 And Andrew sets that example of bringing that request to Jesus. 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.740 But when he hears it, 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:45.180 what we discover is that Jesus' mind instantly is on his purpose. 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.460 Why he came? 00:22:47.680 --> 00:22:48.960 To be the saviour for the world. 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:50.779 And it's because of that purpose, 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.000 because of his coming to the cross, 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:55.460 that the Greeks, the world, you and me, 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:57.779 can truly know him. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:00.240 Look at verse 32, 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:02.180 and we'll see that connection, I think. 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:03.880 Jesus said, 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:08.079 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:11.319 will draw all people to myself. 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:14.440 So in his lifting up, 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:16.819 John is deliberately ambiguous, 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:19.380 lifting up in the sense of being lifted up on the cross, 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.660 but being lifted up in glory, 00:23:20.759 --> 00:23:22.400 and that lifting up, 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:28.220 it is the way for you and I to know Jesus as he truly is. 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.559 God's saviour king, 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:33.740 God's once for all sacrifice for sinners. 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:37.539 In the lifting up of Jesus, 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:42.519 is the way for us to know full access to God, 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:44.660 so that we can approach freely. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:49.660 In Jesus being lifted up to die, 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:55.120 we can know the promise of eternal life and eternity with Jesus. 00:23:55.119 --> 00:24:04.979 And so Jesus connects his being lifted up with his drawing of people to himself. 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:07.399 In his death is that power, 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:10.000 the power of God to draw us, 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:12.479 to draw us from death to life, 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:16.039 to draw us from sin to forgiveness, 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:21.220 from separation to adoption into the family of God, 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:26.220 from hopelessness to being hope-filled. 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:32.259 So let me close here with two thoughts. 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.539 First, 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:38.400 to recognize that Christmas and the cross must always be connected. 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.920 To understand that Jesus, 00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:41.880 the God-man, 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.880 is born to die. 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:52.240 The New Testament speaks about the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:53.500 And to do that, 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:58.360 Jesus had to be made like me and like you. 00:25:00.020 --> 00:25:03.900 If we think about Christmas as being love coming down, 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:08.580 we understand Easter as love being lifted up. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:13.080 The love of God demonstrated the manger, 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.779 and at the cross. 00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:18.939 Is this where we find our joy, 00:25:19.939 --> 00:25:20.519 our hope, 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:21.960 our peace this Christmas? 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:24.079 And secondly, 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:27.359 to truly see Jesus 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:30.799 always leads to worship. 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:34.659 When God draws someone by his grace, 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.799 whether that be the shepherds, 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.980 whether that be the magi, 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:41.179 whether that be the Greeks, 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.919 whether that be you, 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.579 and me, 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:45.259 his goal, 00:25:45.899 --> 00:25:47.819 is that we would worship. 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:51.539 That we would see and enjoy his glory. 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:54.399 That we would worship Jesus, 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:55.259 our King. 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.899 So may this be the pattern 00:25:57.899 --> 00:26:00.379 for your life and mine 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:02.720 this Christmas season and beyond. 00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:02.860 Lord, 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:06.039 let's pray together briefly. 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.180 Lord God, 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.960 we thank you for another chance 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:17.120 to reflect on Jesus, 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:19.759 the one who was born for us, 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.960 the one who lived for us, 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:24.420 the one who died for us, 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:26.799 the one who rose for us, 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:29.680 the one who rules and reigns 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:32.360 and will return for us. 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.539 Lord, 00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:35.019 thank you for the blessings 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:37.200 that we enjoy in this life 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.980 because of Jesus. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:41.799 We thank you for the promise 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.220 of greater things 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.480 still to come 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:46.420 when our faith 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.820 is in Jesus. 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:50.000 Lord, 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.679 we thank you for your word, 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.779 the bread of life. 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:56.960 May you give strength 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:58.039 and health 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.039 to us 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:01.099 as we receive it, 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:03.599 as we reflect on it. 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.220 Help us to grow 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.159 in obedience 00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:07.759 and love 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.259 and worship 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:11.819 as we consider 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:13.339 your love 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:15.619 and as we fix our eyes 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.500 on Jesus, 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.200 our Savior. 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:18.680 Amen. 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.599 Now, 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:23.119 we will close 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:24.759 with a Christmas hymn, 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:25.700 Come, 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:28.660 O Long-Expected Jesus. 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.400 And again, 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:32.119 let us stand 00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:32.900 to sing.