WEBVTT 00:00:00.540 --> 00:00:04.020 Well, good morning, everyone. It's good to be with you. 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:07.980 Let me pray. 00:00:10.439 --> 00:00:13.339 Lord Jesus, pour your Spirit out on us. 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:17.120 Open your Word up to us. Let us see you more clearly. 00:00:17.800 --> 00:00:21.859 Let us know you better, be more like you, and follow you more closely. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:23.320 Amen. 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:27.580 I always love preaching from the Gospels. 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:31.159 I think I say this every time I preach from the Gospels, 00:00:31.699 --> 00:00:36.640 because it is a chance to stop and look closely at Jesus and study Him. 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:40.640 Everything Jesus said and did was catalytic. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:43.879 It was meant to transform the people who were around Him. 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:47.480 And our passage this morning from John 12 is no different. 00:00:48.459 --> 00:00:52.799 I also like the Gospel of John probably a little bit more than the other Gospels. 00:00:53.099 --> 00:00:55.259 I also say this, I'm not supposed to have favorites. 00:00:55.519 --> 00:00:56.320 John's my favorite. 00:00:56.320 --> 00:01:01.320 And I think I even read some of our ones that everybody has a favorite Gospel, 00:01:01.480 --> 00:01:02.939 one that they connect with the most. 00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:09.019 And some people even try to draw some personality or psychological meaning 00:01:09.019 --> 00:01:12.299 from why somebody likes this Gospel versus another, 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:13.840 what it all means. 00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:18.420 And that's not what today's about, but I just thought that was kind of interesting. 00:01:18.420 --> 00:01:23.859 But in a big super generalization, Mark focuses on what Jesus did. 00:01:24.240 --> 00:01:26.719 Matthew focuses on what Jesus taught. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:30.760 Luke focuses on who Jesus paid attention to. 00:01:31.159 --> 00:01:33.379 John focuses on who Jesus is. 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:36.699 So you can have favorites, but you kind of need them all. 00:01:38.019 --> 00:01:43.899 And they're all carefully constructed, but John's narrative is especially well constructed in my view. 00:01:44.199 --> 00:01:49.640 He communicates a lot of what he says as much restructure as it's actually what he says about Jesus. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:52.239 So there's a lot going on into today's passage. 00:01:52.579 --> 00:01:57.140 And I want to look at how John brings us to this moment in John 12, 00:01:57.560 --> 00:02:00.480 to the conversations that happen between different actors, 00:02:01.019 --> 00:02:02.799 and then what happens within those interactions. 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:07.340 It's always about what Jesus says and does and what he tells us about him. 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:10.879 So let's start with how did John get us to this moment. 00:02:11.640 --> 00:02:16.759 So it all starts back in chapter 11, when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:23.860 And that episode starts a pattern that characterizes each scenario that we come across 00:02:23.860 --> 00:02:25.960 as we make our way to today's passage. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:32.379 It's a pattern of positive and negative reactions to Jesus that are driving him towards the cross. 00:02:32.379 --> 00:02:39.060 It's a pattern of opposite reactions plays out against a general movement 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:43.120 of greater and greater visibility and prominence for Jesus. 00:02:43.979 --> 00:02:45.560 So let's look at this pattern briefly. 00:02:46.519 --> 00:02:51.419 So when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, there are two reactions. 00:02:51.819 --> 00:02:54.199 Some of the crowd are deemed under faith in Jesus, 00:02:54.759 --> 00:03:00.019 but others quickly head back to Jerusalem to convene an emergency meeting to kill him. 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:03.980 There are really strong opposite reactions. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:07.860 There's no question about the fact that a miracle happened. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:09.820 It's the difference in reactions. 00:03:11.260 --> 00:03:14.500 And not only that, but if the council didn't already know who Jesus was, 00:03:14.600 --> 00:03:16.120 they all know who he is now. 00:03:17.300 --> 00:03:19.260 And not only that, but after this episode, 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:21.100 this is where it went back to Jerusalem, 00:03:21.260 --> 00:03:25.100 and the crowds in Jerusalem in the temple were gathering for the festival, 00:03:25.460 --> 00:03:27.760 were all talking about him and looking for him. 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:34.459 Jesus was creating more reactions to himself and becoming more prominent. 00:03:35.739 --> 00:03:38.079 And in a small way, this pattern repeated. 00:03:38.840 --> 00:03:42.340 There was a quiet dinner of my friends in the home of Martha and Mary afterwards. 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:48.039 And Mary adores Jesus by anointing his feet with an extensive ointment. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:53.180 It's a beautiful time of adoration, gratitude, and even worship. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:58.980 Judas, however, criticizes Mary in front of everyone for her actions. 00:03:59.939 --> 00:04:04.780 Once again, strong polar opposite reactions to Jesus and who he is. 00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:10.860 And not only that, but when the chief priests hear that the crowd is coming to see Jesus 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:15.319 and also to see Lazarus, they decide they're going to kill Lazarus too. 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:16.620 It's amazing. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:19.120 Jesus continues to be prominent. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:22.160 Of course, it gets even better. 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:24.600 Jesus rises to Jerusalem triumphantly. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:26.120 Crowds come out. 00:04:26.259 --> 00:04:27.180 They're praising him. 00:04:27.280 --> 00:04:28.439 They're waving palm branches. 00:04:29.720 --> 00:04:33.720 And all of their praise expresses a messianic faith. 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:36.220 The Pharisees, on the other hand, 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:40.280 all complain how terrible it is that the whole world is going after him. 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:42.040 Polar opposites. 00:04:42.900 --> 00:04:44.660 Faith and worship, on the one hand. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:46.640 Resistance to Jesus, on the other. 00:04:46.900 --> 00:04:49.840 And all in a moment, even greater prominence for Jesus. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:57.120 Every single one of these moments are on this trajectory of greater prominence 00:04:57.120 --> 00:05:00.100 and of stronger and stronger, polar reactions to Jesus. 00:05:01.220 --> 00:05:02.980 And so in this moment in John 12, 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:07.020 there's this atmosphere that's charged with the tension between adoration 00:05:07.020 --> 00:05:09.660 and acclaim, on one hand, and disparagement, 00:05:09.900 --> 00:05:11.540 even a murderous hate, on the other. 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:16.120 A tension that grows as Jesus' own prominence grows. 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:20.240 So, in our passage, 00:05:20.640 --> 00:05:22.360 there's this hothouse of fervor, 00:05:22.640 --> 00:05:24.580 both for and against Jesus. 00:05:24.760 --> 00:05:27.320 And two of Jesus' disciples, Philip and Andrew, 00:05:27.580 --> 00:05:31.660 have a moment in this part of our readings. 00:05:32.840 --> 00:05:35.920 It starts with some Greeks who want to come see Jesus. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:39.200 Though John deliberately evokes 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:42.759 an earlier moment in the gospel for the disciples 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:45.860 who came to Jesus at the end of chapter one. 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:49.199 And it signals to us that this is really, 00:05:49.300 --> 00:05:51.899 this passage is really the passage of our discipleship. 00:05:52.480 --> 00:05:53.639 At the end of chapter one, 00:05:53.719 --> 00:05:54.319 Nathaniel, 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:56.339 Andrew approaches Simon 00:05:56.339 --> 00:05:58.180 and brings Simon to Jesus. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:05:58.980 And similarly, 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:02.180 Philip goes and finds Nathaniel and brings him to Jesus. 00:06:03.060 --> 00:06:04.000 In this passage, 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:06.199 some Greeks come to worship, 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:07.199 God fears, 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:08.600 and they approach Philip, 00:06:08.780 --> 00:06:09.800 asking to see Jesus. 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:11.639 Philip goes to Andrew, 00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:14.460 and then they go to Jesus with three groups' request. 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:16.839 Philip and Andrew have, 00:06:16.979 --> 00:06:17.219 I know, 00:06:17.279 --> 00:06:18.299 a good instinct, 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:19.739 a well-developed instinct 00:06:19.739 --> 00:06:21.120 for how to come to Jesus 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:22.759 and how to bring people to Jesus. 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:24.899 We see this in the earlier chapter 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:25.779 in chapter one. 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:27.699 But even so, 00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:28.740 those instincts, 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:29.899 in this moment, 00:06:30.019 --> 00:06:31.099 need to be developed, 00:06:31.379 --> 00:06:32.019 refined, 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:33.299 and refocused a bit. 00:06:34.019 --> 00:06:36.019 With all the heightened fervor 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:37.240 and the greater prominence 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:38.579 that Jesus is experiencing, 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:40.800 the request of the Greeks 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:41.839 would have seemed like 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:43.779 a good next logical step 00:06:43.779 --> 00:06:45.800 in Jesus' current trajectory. 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:48.859 Sitting at the pinnacle of acclaim 00:06:48.859 --> 00:06:50.479 by the crowds in Jerusalem 00:06:50.479 --> 00:06:53.379 that Gentiles are now also asking 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:54.839 to come and see Jesus 00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:56.039 could signal 00:06:56.039 --> 00:06:59.000 the beginning of a wider ministry for Jesus 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:00.180 to the wider world, 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:01.919 a greater platform 00:07:01.919 --> 00:07:03.500 and a greater reach. 00:07:04.659 --> 00:07:05.879 So Philip and Andrew, 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:08.039 as part of Jesus' entourage, 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:10.100 as part of the inner circle of 12, 00:07:10.640 --> 00:07:11.660 tried to facilitate 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:12.600 what they thought 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:14.220 was Jesus' next phase, 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:15.840 a next big step 00:07:15.840 --> 00:07:17.879 where Jesus would hit the big time. 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:23.660 So Jesus replies, 00:07:23.820 --> 00:07:24.720 the hour has come 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:25.580 for the Son of Man 00:07:25.580 --> 00:07:26.360 to be glorified. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:27.700 And you can all text your hand 00:07:27.700 --> 00:07:28.379 or to Philip 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:30.200 fist bumping each other 00:07:30.200 --> 00:07:30.560 and saying, 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:31.379 I told you so. 00:07:32.020 --> 00:07:33.080 It's the time for Jesus 00:07:33.080 --> 00:07:33.900 to be glorified. 00:07:34.080 --> 00:07:34.600 This is the moment 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:36.560 we read the situation correctly. 00:07:36.960 --> 00:07:38.020 We were right to do that. 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:39.439 But then, 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:41.080 and it's a big but then, 00:07:41.720 --> 00:07:43.620 Jesus reframes the situation. 00:07:44.379 --> 00:07:46.300 It's kind of jarring in some ways. 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:47.620 He totally upends 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:48.520 the whole thinking 00:07:48.520 --> 00:07:49.640 about what's going on 00:07:49.640 --> 00:07:51.420 and all that he says next. 00:07:51.520 --> 00:07:52.860 He says three things 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:53.660 about discipleship 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:55.660 that needs to unpack you. 00:07:56.660 --> 00:07:57.700 Before we get into that, 00:07:57.820 --> 00:07:59.780 I want to focus you on something. 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:01.080 Something I want you to see 00:08:01.080 --> 00:08:01.680 about Jesus 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:02.900 and his response 00:08:02.900 --> 00:08:03.640 to the disciples. 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:06.500 He's not mad at them. 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:07.620 He's not angry, 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:08.740 disappointed, 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:10.139 exasperated, 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:11.979 or in any way critical 00:08:11.979 --> 00:08:13.740 of their response, 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:15.039 of the way they're coming to him. 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:16.759 His words, 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:18.959 that reframe the situation, 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:19.779 are entirely 00:08:19.779 --> 00:08:20.579 without judgment. 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:22.740 And what I want you to see, 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:23.279 the first thing 00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:24.099 I want you to take away 00:08:24.099 --> 00:08:24.740 from this morning 00:08:24.740 --> 00:08:26.959 is that as his disciple, 00:08:27.219 --> 00:08:28.560 Jesus is the same way 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:29.000 with you 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.979 as he is with them. 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:32.320 He is never disappointed, 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:33.639 exasperated, 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:34.779 or in any way critical 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:35.440 of you 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:36.680 when your intentions 00:08:36.680 --> 00:08:37.340 are right, 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:38.560 but you still get it 00:08:38.560 --> 00:08:39.139 a bit wrong. 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:41.320 Jesus, 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:42.259 the way he was 00:08:42.259 --> 00:08:43.180 with Philip and Andrew, 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:44.899 he is like this 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:45.860 with you right now. 00:08:46.420 --> 00:08:47.759 There is no condemnation, 00:08:48.060 --> 00:08:48.879 not now or ever. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:51.560 Let's look at how Jesus 00:08:51.560 --> 00:08:53.019 reframes the situation. 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.360 First thing Jesus says, 00:08:55.820 --> 00:08:57.279 unless a grain of wheat 00:08:57.279 --> 00:08:58.399 falls into the earth 00:08:58.399 --> 00:08:59.079 and dies, 00:08:59.199 --> 00:09:00.199 it remains alone. 00:09:00.779 --> 00:09:01.600 But if it dies, 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:02.639 it bears much fruit. 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:04.600 This is the first phrase, 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:05.379 the first thing 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:06.120 that Jesus said 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:06.600 that would have been 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:07.259 really jarring. 00:09:07.959 --> 00:09:09.500 Jesus drops a death metaphor 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:09.980 on them. 00:09:11.459 --> 00:09:12.779 A dying metaphor. 00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:14.740 And all the fist bumping 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:15.879 probably came to a halt 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:16.819 right at that moment. 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:18.819 But it's not entirely 00:09:18.819 --> 00:09:19.659 all about death 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:21.379 because Jesus articulates 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:22.500 a spiritual principle 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:24.460 that it's only through death 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:25.220 that new life 00:09:25.220 --> 00:09:25.960 and fruitfulness 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:27.220 is possible. 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:29.019 This is not the way 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:29.580 of the world. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:31.340 It's not the way 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:33.420 even of Washington, D.C. 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:36.720 Then Jesus says 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:37.340 something next 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:38.320 and he takes this metaphor 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:39.240 and he extends it 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:39.720 to people. 00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:42.080 Whoever loves his life 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:42.980 loses it. 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.620 Whoever hates his life 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:45.160 in this world 00:09:45.160 --> 00:09:45.800 will keep it 00:09:45.800 --> 00:09:46.759 for eternal life. 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:49.000 It just keeps getting better. 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:50.960 In other words, 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:52.220 by letting go 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:53.639 of the world 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:54.399 and the flesh, 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:55.620 by letting go 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:56.840 of all that is dark 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:57.959 and empty, 00:09:58.600 --> 00:09:59.279 by letting go 00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:00.079 of prominence, 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:00.840 platforms, 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:01.939 influence, 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:03.639 and all that narrative 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:04.480 of impact 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:06.419 on all the world's terms, 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:07.799 the very things 00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:08.379 that Philip 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.379 and Andrew 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:10.279 and likely 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:11.179 the other disciples 00:10:11.179 --> 00:10:12.299 thought was happening 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:13.759 for Jesus right now, 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:15.240 by letting go 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:15.819 of these things, 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:17.059 you get a higher life, 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:18.539 a whole life, 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:19.600 true life 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:20.620 and eternal life, 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.120 a real life 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.240 that lasts forever. 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:25.299 And then Jesus 00:10:25.299 --> 00:10:26.060 says this, 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:28.179 if anyone serves me, 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:29.179 he must follow me 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:30.259 and where I am, 00:10:30.700 --> 00:10:31.679 there will my servant 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:32.360 also be. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:34.080 If anyone serves me, 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:34.679 the Father 00:10:34.679 --> 00:10:35.679 will honor him. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:37.399 In other words, 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:38.399 the path 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.220 to this higher 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:40.159 real life 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:41.240 that lasts for eternity 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.659 is by serving, 00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:43.600 following, 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:44.740 and being with Jesus. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:46.539 And the disciples 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:47.740 would find out shortly 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:48.919 that to follow 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:49.779 and be with Jesus 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:51.080 is to go through death 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:52.660 and ultimately new life, 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:54.200 his pattern 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:55.000 of the cross 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:55.660 and resurrection. 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:58.259 So a second thing 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:59.000 I want you to see, 00:10:59.100 --> 00:10:59.960 the words themselves 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:00.840 I'll come back to, 00:11:00.900 --> 00:11:01.620 but a second thing 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:02.360 that I want you to see 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:03.259 about how Jesus 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.420 interacts with his 00:11:04.420 --> 00:11:05.220 two disciples 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:06.840 is that as much 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.660 as he gently 00:11:07.660 --> 00:11:08.680 but powerfully 00:11:08.680 --> 00:11:10.400 reframes the situation 00:11:10.400 --> 00:11:11.580 for Philip and Andrew, 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:13.340 you should expect him 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:14.259 to be the same way 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:14.639 with you. 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:18.060 We should not miss 00:11:18.060 --> 00:11:19.259 his gentle nudges 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:19.960 and whispers 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:20.879 of follow me. 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:21.800 In this regard. 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:24.420 So already, 00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:25.139 if this passage 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:25.800 had stopped there 00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:26.259 and the sermon 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:26.780 stopped there, 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:27.300 there'd be a lot 00:11:27.300 --> 00:11:27.840 to unpack, 00:11:28.060 --> 00:11:28.960 but it kind of 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:29.520 keeps going 00:11:29.520 --> 00:11:30.259 and it honestly 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.600 gets a bit wild. 00:11:32.800 --> 00:11:33.820 There's this four-way 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:35.100 conversation that starts 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:36.000 between Jesus, 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:37.200 his two disciples 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:37.920 who are listening, 00:11:38.660 --> 00:11:39.060 God, 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:40.139 his father, 00:11:40.280 --> 00:11:40.800 and the crowd 00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:41.400 around him. 00:11:42.020 --> 00:11:42.820 We find out 00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:43.660 in verse 34 00:11:43.660 --> 00:11:44.840 that Jesus 00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:45.480 and Philip 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:46.140 and Andrew 00:11:46.140 --> 00:11:47.259 are not in a quiet 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.100 room somewhere 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:50.000 trying to talk 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:51.600 to Jesus 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.420 about his next 00:11:52.420 --> 00:11:53.060 big moves, 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:53.980 but they seem 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:54.659 to be in the midst 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.259 of a crowd. 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:56.420 How much 00:11:56.420 --> 00:11:56.940 of all this 00:11:56.940 --> 00:11:57.580 conversation 00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:58.360 between Jesus 00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:58.879 and Philip 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.460 and Andrew 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:00.340 the crowd 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:00.800 could hear 00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:01.860 isn't clear, 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:02.820 but they must 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:03.060 have heard 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:03.720 some of it. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:04.820 But all that 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:05.860 follows definitely 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:06.740 happens in the 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:07.540 hearing of the crowd 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.439 and Jesus 00:12:08.439 --> 00:12:09.559 is every bit 00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:10.459 as intentional 00:12:10.459 --> 00:12:11.259 with this moment 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:11.779 as he is 00:12:11.779 --> 00:12:12.299 with his two 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:12.719 disciples. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.319 So Jesus 00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:16.139 drops these 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:17.339 heavy metaphors 00:12:17.339 --> 00:12:18.120 on his disciples, 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:19.000 but then he 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.120 does something. 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:21.579 He gets vulnerable. 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:22.639 He shares 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.379 that his soul 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:23.899 is troubled 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.159 and he feels 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:25.639 a bit like 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.620 asking his father 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.620 to save him 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.360 from this hour. 00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:29.719 And maybe 00:12:29.719 --> 00:12:30.419 a third thing 00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:31.179 I want you to see 00:12:31.179 --> 00:12:32.199 and notice about Jesus 00:12:32.199 --> 00:12:33.259 apart from his words. 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.539 He's vulnerable, 00:12:35.219 --> 00:12:35.539 open, 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:36.679 and emotionally 00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:37.259 expressive. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.039 The way he is 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:39.659 with Philip 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:40.500 and Andrew 00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:42.059 is how he is 00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:42.480 or at least 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.079 how he wants 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:43.799 to be with you. 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:45.879 You should expect 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:46.819 him to be vulnerable 00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:47.659 and emotionally 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.679 accessible to you 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:49.179 when you talk 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:49.539 with him. 00:12:51.219 --> 00:12:52.000 And then Jesus 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.759 seems to raise 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.519 his voice a little 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:54.439 and prays out loud, 00:12:54.599 --> 00:12:55.860 Father, glorify 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.459 your name. 00:12:57.559 --> 00:12:58.240 And this all 00:12:58.240 --> 00:12:58.839 by itself 00:12:58.839 --> 00:12:59.259 would have been 00:12:59.259 --> 00:12:59.939 an encouraging 00:12:59.939 --> 00:13:01.059 and an inspiring 00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:02.139 example of a 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:03.000 righteous person 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.779 making the right 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.759 choice in a hard 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.139 moment, 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.839 but more happens. 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:08.600 an audible voice 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.440 comes from heaven 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:11.120 affirming that 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:11.660 the Father 00:13:11.660 --> 00:13:12.660 has glorified 00:13:12.660 --> 00:13:13.080 his name 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:13.600 and will do 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:14.200 so again. 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:16.800 The crowd 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.480 around Jesus 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:18.280 heard this. 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:19.780 They heard his 00:13:19.780 --> 00:13:20.720 prayer to the Father 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:21.519 and then they heard 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.940 this noise 00:13:22.940 --> 00:13:24.340 coming from the sky. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.480 Some thought 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:26.060 it was thunder, 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.000 some said, 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:27.240 well, 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:28.460 they thought it was a voice, 00:13:28.680 --> 00:13:29.340 but they thought 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:30.060 probably an angel. 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:31.939 Jesus heard it 00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:32.579 as a voice 00:13:32.579 --> 00:13:33.799 and he understood 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:34.939 whose voice it was. 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:36.419 And even further, 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:37.339 he discerned 00:13:37.339 --> 00:13:38.219 that the voice 00:13:38.219 --> 00:13:38.899 was actually 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.719 for their sake, 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:40.379 not his. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:42.459 It confirmed 00:13:42.459 --> 00:13:43.419 all that Jesus 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:44.359 said to Philip 00:13:44.359 --> 00:13:44.839 and Andrew 00:13:44.839 --> 00:13:45.699 prior to this 00:13:45.699 --> 00:13:46.539 and maybe even 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.059 to some of the 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:47.879 crowd around him. 00:13:48.979 --> 00:13:49.779 And then Jesus 00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:50.619 makes the full 00:13:50.619 --> 00:13:51.119 connection 00:13:51.119 --> 00:13:51.879 between his 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:52.339 statements 00:13:52.339 --> 00:13:54.539 and how the path 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:55.039 of death 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:56.119 leads to new life. 00:13:57.079 --> 00:13:57.819 Jesus draws 00:13:57.819 --> 00:13:58.519 this four-way 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.579 conversation together 00:13:59.579 --> 00:14:00.879 by foretelling 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.539 to the crowd 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.639 what kind of death 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.559 he was going to die. 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:05.480 Though the crowd 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.279 doesn't seem to pick 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.120 this up right away. 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.740 Jesus states 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.679 that his death, 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.539 the death he's going 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:11.000 to die, 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:11.699 will result 00:14:11.699 --> 00:14:12.460 in the ruler 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:12.980 of the world 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.919 being cast out, 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.220 the one who is 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:16.559 ultimately responsible 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:17.720 for all that is wrong 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:18.299 with the world. 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.579 And it will also result 00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:21.360 in all people 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:23.000 being drawn to himself. 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:24.699 Jesus' death 00:14:24.699 --> 00:14:25.759 will bring new life. 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:29.659 So there are things 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:30.919 to see in this passage. 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:32.240 Jesus 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:35.179 related to his disciples 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:36.059 in a certain way 00:14:36.059 --> 00:14:36.860 and we should take 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:38.580 some learning from this 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:39.419 about who he is. 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:41.019 And he said some things 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.220 that should challenge us. 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:44.779 Jesus is never angry 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.960 or disappointed with you. 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:47.600 Come with your good intentions 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.679 and don't worry 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.759 if you might get it wrong. 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:50.580 He's very, 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:51.399 he's interested 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.379 in the conversation 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:52.860 with you. 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:54.259 He will not judge you. 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:56.240 You can expect him 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.080 to reframe 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:58.340 and direct you on things. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.419 It doesn't mean 00:14:59.419 --> 00:15:00.639 he thinks you got it wrong. 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.559 He just wants to 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:02.860 set you straight 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:03.860 because he loves you. 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:06.299 So be open to him. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:08.179 Be open to who he is 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:09.039 and how he is. 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:10.659 And more than just open, 00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:12.419 actually ask him 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.679 to let you experience him 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:14.299 in these ways. 00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:17.279 Jesus' three statements 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.120 to his disciples 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:19.980 should challenge all of us 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.819 but honestly, 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:22.139 they challenge me personally. 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:25.000 Probably like some of you, 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.340 my day job 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.340 has a lot to do 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.039 with strategy 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:29.639 and building partnerships 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.720 and communications. 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:33.960 There's getting leadership 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:35.259 and getting the organization 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.360 on platforms, 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:38.379 having a more prominent voice 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.699 on policy debates. 00:15:40.179 --> 00:15:41.460 There's a lot of messaging 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.720 and talking points 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:44.340 and trying to influence people 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.259 and power 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.240 to make the decisions 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.039 that you want 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:48.139 for the cause 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.340 that you're trying to advance. 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:51.139 And in some ways, 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:52.160 when I read this passage, 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:53.280 I recognized 00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:54.620 what Philip and Andrew 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:55.160 were doing 00:15:55.160 --> 00:15:57.800 because I look for ways 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.780 to do the same thing. 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.820 It's kind of my daily bread. 00:16:01.540 --> 00:16:03.180 Like some of us in this room, 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.480 I work hard 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.820 at all of these things. 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:08.660 Changing the world 00:16:08.660 --> 00:16:09.399 is what gets 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:10.360 many of us 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.200 out of bed in the morning. 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.240 And I can make 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.180 a clear connection 00:16:13.180 --> 00:16:14.980 between my kingdom values 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:15.840 and my day job. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:17.440 But as valuable 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:18.019 and important 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.280 as all those things are, 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:20.600 they are in the end 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.399 not the ways 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:21.960 of the kingdom. 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:23.820 They're not going to work 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.399 when it comes 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:25.620 to how I follow Jesus. 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:26.899 So, 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:27.899 I'm not about 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:28.759 to quit my job. 00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:30.160 None of you should either. 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.240 So don't go away 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.420 saying, 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.340 Rob thinks I should 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:32.940 quit my job. 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.899 It's not a kingdom job. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:34.840 That's not what I'm saying. 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.960 Keep your jobs. 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.639 But we should all 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.940 have the spiritual sensitivity 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:40.360 and the discernment 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.860 that Jesus walked in 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.879 in today's passage 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.920 to be able 00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:44.900 to see the kingdom 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.899 and the ways 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:46.500 of the Father 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.559 at work around us. 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.220 I think it means 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:50.000 recognizing 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.240 that for all 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:51.939 our efforts 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:52.959 to be successful 00:16:52.959 --> 00:16:54.259 in changing the world, 00:16:54.459 --> 00:16:55.539 there are limits 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.539 to what we can do. 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.519 It means recognizing 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.340 that in the end, 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.279 it's the Father 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:01.220 who will glorify 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.220 his own name 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.879 and that he will 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:04.700 change the world 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.720 in his own way 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:07.019 and in his own time 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:08.119 to a level 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:09.160 and a depth 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:10.059 that our best 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.980 collective efforts 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:12.220 probably can't achieve. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.359 That's a humble posture. 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.560 It also means 00:17:16.560 --> 00:17:17.620 that if we are serious 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.880 about serving Jesus, 00:17:19.080 --> 00:17:20.180 about following him 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.140 and being with him, 00:17:21.320 --> 00:17:22.740 we should expect him 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.080 at times to ask us 00:17:24.080 --> 00:17:26.040 to walk the path of death 00:17:26.040 --> 00:17:27.240 to have new life. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.800 Are we open to that? 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.080 It might mean 00:17:31.080 --> 00:17:32.000 that when we're out there 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.780 doing what we do 00:17:32.780 --> 00:17:33.740 to change the world, 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.800 praying that God 00:17:34.800 --> 00:17:35.780 works through us 00:17:35.780 --> 00:17:36.820 and gives us the wisdom 00:17:36.820 --> 00:17:37.420 to do it, 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:39.380 that we have the heart posture 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.460 of John the Baptist 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.640 who said, 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.960 he must increase, 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.340 but I must decrease. 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.319 It's hard. 00:17:48.600 --> 00:17:49.600 So I want to give us 00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.220 a moment now 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.279 to reflect quietly 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.420 on Jesus' words 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:53.620 from this passage. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.019 I want to ask you 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:56.240 to ask Jesus, 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:57.100 what are you saying 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.000 to me right now 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.660 through these three statements 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:00.380 that you said 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.059 to your disciples? 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:03.539 So let's just take 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.160 a quiet moment 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:04.759 and then I'll close 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.319 us in prayer. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:05.980 Amen. 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.019 Amen. 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.079 Amen. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.120 Amen. 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:06.140 Amen. 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:06.519 Amen. 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:06.579 Amen. 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:06.620 Amen. 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.180 Amen. 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.579 Amen. 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:38.860 Lord, as I prayed 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.440 at the beginning, 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.799 pour your spirit 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.539 out on us. 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.720 We want to see you 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.359 more clearly, 00:18:43.879 --> 00:18:44.960 know you more deeply, 00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:46.339 be more like you, 00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:47.379 and follow you 00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:48.019 more closely. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.659 And as always, 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:50.700 if you want to talk 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:52.039 about any of what 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:53.440 I talked about today, 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.899 if you feel like the Lord 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.980 is stirring things up 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.920 in you and you want 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.299 prayer, 00:18:57.899 --> 00:18:58.819 please reach out. 00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.220 Any of us would love 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.059 to talk with you 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.799 or pray with you. 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:02.819 Amen. 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:02.899 Amen.