Full Transcript for John 12:9-19

be after Jesus has been glorified 00:02:28.480 --> 00:02:33.340 that they begin to comprehend the Scriptures and the events unfolding before them. 00:02:33.340 --> 00:02:40.300 I want us to consider this passage with a particular emphasis on that misunderstanding 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:47.319 because I believe John intends for us to recognize something about the way God accomplishes His purposes. 00:02:48.020 --> 00:02:52.819 Something about the danger of bringing our expectations to the Scriptures. 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:59.480 And something about the necessity of understanding Jesus in light of His death and His resurrection. 00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:04.859 The central truth I want us to see is this. 00:03:06.060 --> 00:03:07.659 Jesus is the promised king, 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:15.759 but His victory is accomplished through the very suffering and death that His followers struggled to understand. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:19.919 So let me pray, and then we'll read our text together. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:26.799 Father God, we pray that You will help us to this end that I have stated. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:31.759 We humbly recognize we need Your help to rightly understand Your Word. 00:03:32.659 --> 00:03:37.239 And so we ask that You would help us by Your Spirit to believe its promises and obey its commands, 00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:40.679 have affection for You, its author, 00:03:41.299 --> 00:03:43.500 and we pray that You'll help us to this end. 00:03:43.919 --> 00:03:46.299 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:46.420 Amen. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:50.580 John chapter 12, beginning in verse 9. 00:03:51.800 --> 00:03:54.640 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:56.900 they came not only on account of Him, 00:03:57.140 --> 00:04:00.160 but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:04.340 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:06.060 because on account of Him, 00:04:06.300 --> 00:04:09.380 many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. 00:04:10.480 --> 00:04:13.320 The next day, the large crowd that had come to the feast 00:04:13.320 --> 00:04:15.300 heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 00:04:15.300 --> 00:04:18.980 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, 00:04:19.379 --> 00:04:20.160 crying out, 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:23.740 Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:26.340 even the King of Israel. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:30.860 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:32.280 just as it is written, 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:35.040 Fear not, daughter of Zion, 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:37.120 behold, Your King is coming, 00:04:37.420 --> 00:04:39.780 sitting on a donkey's colt. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:43.560 His disciples did not understand these things at first, 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:45.720 but when Jesus was glorified, 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:48.579 then they remembered that these things had been written about Him 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:50.699 and had been done to Him. 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:53.199 The crowd that had been with Him 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:55.100 when He called Lazarus out of the tomb 00:04:55.100 --> 00:04:56.300 and raised Him from the dead 00:04:56.300 --> 00:04:57.800 continued to bear witness. 00:04:58.660 --> 00:05:00.740 The reason why the crowd went to meet Him 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:02.720 was that they heard He had done this sign. 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:05.639 So the Pharisees said to one another, 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:08.079 You see that you are gaining nothing. 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:11.419 Look, the world has gone after Him. 00:05:12.599 --> 00:05:15.719 Let's begin by considering the circumstances 00:05:15.719 --> 00:05:19.579 surrounding Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:21.860 with our first point, 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:26.339 Jesus, the King who divides the people, 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:28.360 in verses 9 through 11. 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:32.280 Perhaps you'll remember that in chapter 11, 00:05:32.540 --> 00:05:34.379 Jesus performed what is the most remarkable 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:36.360 of His public miracles. 00:05:37.340 --> 00:05:39.360 Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:40.540 was raised from the dead 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:44.180 by the authoritative command of the Christ. 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:47.520 And John had been very clear to show us 00:05:47.520 --> 00:05:49.360 that the consequences of this miracle 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:52.740 extend well beyond the resurrection of one man. 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:55.500 In John 11 and verse 45, 00:05:55.500 --> 00:05:57.019 were told that many who witnessed 00:05:57.019 --> 00:05:58.779 what Jesus had done believed in Him. 00:05:59.399 --> 00:06:01.879 But others carried the news to the Pharisees, 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:04.459 resulting in a meeting of the Jewish council 00:06:04.459 --> 00:06:06.379 where the religious leaders determined 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:08.939 that Jesus must be put to death. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:11.720 Caiaphas, the high priest, 00:06:12.399 --> 00:06:14.079 argued that it would be advantageous 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:15.100 for one man to die 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:17.139 rather than the entire nation to perish. 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:19.120 And John explains, 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:21.860 Caiaphas spoke more truthfully than he understood 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:25.399 because Jesus would indeed die for the nation. 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:27.439 And not for that nation only, 00:06:27.620 --> 00:06:29.500 but also to gather into one 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:32.339 the children of God who were scattered abroad. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:36.540 So already John has begun directing our attention 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:39.040

toward the approaching death of Jesus 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:41.420 and the significance of that death 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:43.680 for the salvation of God's people. 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:47.139 Then in the opening verses of chapter 12, 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:48.699 we find Jesus in Bethany 00:06:48.699 --> 00:06:50.959 where Mary anoints His feet 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:52.519 with expensive perfume. 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:55.699 Jesus interprets Mary's actions 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:57.919 in relation to His burial. 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:00.199 His death is no longer something 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:02.899 merely anticipated in the distant future. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:05.819 It is now immediately before Him. 00:07:06.539 --> 00:07:09.139 And that brings us to verse 9. 00:07:10.259 --> 00:07:11.839 John tells us that a large crowd 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:13.680 learns that Jesus is in Bethany 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:15.139 and comes not only to see Him, 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:16.519 but also to see Lazarus, 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:19.799 whom Jesus raised from the dead. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:24.240 Now, I think we can appreciate their interest. 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:26.840 Imagine learning that a man who had been dead 00:07:26.840 --> 00:07:29.520 for four days was now walking around, 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:32.000 eating meals, speaking with his friends, 00:07:32.400 --> 00:07:35.600 conducting himself as any other living man. 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:40.199 We would certainly be interested in seeing Him. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:43.000 But John wants us to recognize 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:45.159 that Lazarus has become something more 00:07:45.159 --> 00:07:46.979 than the beneficiary of a miracle. 00:07:48.099 --> 00:07:50.319 He has become a living testimony 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:54.079 to the identity and authority of Jesus Christ. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:57.579 Every time someone sees Lazarus alive, 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:00.719 they are confronted with the extraordinary claim 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:04.560 that Jesus possesses authority over death itself. 00:08:05.659 --> 00:08:07.439 And so in verses 10 and 11, 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:10.219 the chief priests make the remarkable decision 00:08:10.219 --> 00:08:12.279 to put Lazarus to death also 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:15.120 because his resurrection has resulted 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:17.959 in many people believing in Jesus. 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:22.480 Consider the terrible irony of that decision. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:25.959 Jesus has demonstrated His authority over death 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:27.180 by raising Lazarus, 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:28.680 and the religious leaders respond 00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:30.659 by attempting to kill the very man 00:08:30.659 --> 00:08:34.120 whose life testifies to that authority. 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:37.600 They cannot deny the significance 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:39.519 of what has happened. 00:08:40.460

--> 00:08:43.440 So they seek to eliminate the evidence. 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:46.799 And this is consistent with what John 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:48.600 has been teaching us throughout his gospel. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:52.419 The rejection of Jesus is not fundamentally 00:08:52.419 --> 00:08:54.600 an intellectual problem resulting 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:57.039 from insufficient information. 00:08:58.720 --> 00:09:01.960 John 3.19 tells us that the light 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:03.220 light has come into the world, 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:06.700 but people loved darkness rather than light 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:09.340 because their works were evil. 00:09:10.680 --> 00:09:12.560 The religious leaders have witnessed 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:14.300 more than enough evidence 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:16.879 to recognize that something extraordinary 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:18.240 is taking place. 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:21.060 But rather than submitting themselves 00:09:21.060 --> 00:09:22.340 to Jesus, 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:25.379 they determine to destroy Him. 00:09:26.780 --> 00:09:28.400 And this introduces a contrast 00:09:28.400 --> 00:09:29.960 that will become increasingly important 00:09:29.960 --> 00:09:31.920 throughout our passage. 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:34.060 On one side are people 00:09:34.060 --> 00:09:35.120 who celebrate Jesus 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:36.820 because of His miraculous power. 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:39.200 On the other are religious leaders 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:40.019 who reject Him 00:09:40.019 --> 00:09:41.240 because His popularity 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:43.620 threatens their authority. 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:46.900 Receive and reject. 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:48.620 This is a repeated theme 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:50.060 that I have presented to you 00:09:50.060 --> 00:09:52.280 throughout John's gospel. 00:09:53.300 --> 00:09:57.600 Which category do you belong to? 00:09:57.600 --> 00:10:00.680 Are you one who will receive Jesus 00:10:00.680 --> 00:10:02.320 as the Christ 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:04.960 or one who will reject Him? 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:07.460 And John will show us 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:08.860 that even among those 00:10:08.860 --> 00:10:10.220 who celebrate Jesus, 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:12.420 there is a considerable confusion 00:10:12.420 --> 00:10:13.940 concerning His identity 00:10:13.940 --> 00:10:15.399 and His mission. 00:10:16.560 --> 00:10:18.740 It is possible to be enthusiastic 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.680 about Jesus 00:10:19.680 --> 00:10:21.100 without understanding 00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:23.639 the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:10:24.540 --> 00:10:25.340 That's a distinction 00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:27.379 we ought to take very seriously. 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.899 A person may be 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:31.780 impressed by Christianity, 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:34.139 attracted to the moral teachings 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:34.840 of Jesus, 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:37.200 appreciative of the benefits 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:39.160 associated with Christian community, 00:10:39.160 --> 00:10:41.379 or even enthusiastic 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:43.660 about Christ's substitutionary, 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.160 excuse me, 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:45.399 about His influence 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:47.080 upon society 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:49.440 without ever understanding 00:10:49.440 --> 00:10:50.220 the necessity 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:52.060 of Christ's substitutionary death 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:54.379 and victorious resurrection. 00:10:55.819 --> 00:10:57.239 There is a difference 00:10:57.239 --> 00:10:59.579 between admiring Jesus 00:10:59.579 --> 00:11:01.500 and believing in Jesus 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:03.639 as He has refilled Himself. 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:05.719 And that distinction 00:11:05.719 --> 00:11:07.799 becomes particularly evident 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:09.779 in the next portion 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:11.459 of our passage. 00:11:12.719 --> 00:11:13.619 Well, second point, 00:11:14.199 --> 00:11:14.519 Jesus, 00:11:15.459 --> 00:11:16.239 the King 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.560 who defies 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:19.180 expectations. 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:20.639 We'll see this 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.740 in verses 12 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:23.060 through 15. 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:25.620 Beginning in verse 12, 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:27.120 John describes 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:27.860 the arrival 00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:28.500 of Jesus 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.680 in Jerusalem. 00:11:30.419 --> 00:11:31.960 A large crowd 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:32.600 that has gathered 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.720 for the Passover feast 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:34.639 hears that Jesus 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:35.299 is approaching 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:36.019 the city. 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:37.440 They go out 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:38.060 to meet Him, 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:39.820 carrying palm branches 00:11:39.820 --> 00:11:41.539 and shouting praises. 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.600 They employ language 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:45.639 drawn from Psalm 118, 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:46.960 celebrating the one 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:47.620 who comes 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.199 in the name 00:11:48.199 --> 00:11:48.819 of the Lord 00:11:48.819 --> 00:11:50.240 and they explicitly 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:51.279 identify Him 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:52.080 as the King 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:53.319 of Israel. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:55.100 Now, 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.600 we need to understand 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.419 something about 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:58.000 the historical 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.699 and theological 00:11:58.699 --> 00:11:59.439 significance 00:11:59.439 --> 00:12:01.620 of this moment. 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:02.659 Most of you 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:04.159 are probably familiar. 00:12:05.120 -->

00:12:06.000 The Jewish people 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:06.580 have been living 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:08.019 under foreign domination 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:09.740 for centuries. 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:12.080 First the Babylonians, 00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:13.059 then the Persians, 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:14.139 followed by the Greeks, 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.360 and now the Romans 00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:16.560 have exercised 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:18.379 authority over them. 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:19.919 Although they have 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.800 returned from 00:12:20.800 --> 00:12:22.060 their Babylonian exile, 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.860 the full restoration 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:24.980 anticipated by 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:25.740 the Old Testament 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.200 prophets 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:27.340 has not yet 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:29.019 been realized. 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:30.800 They possess 00:12:30.800 --> 00:12:31.460 the Scriptures 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:33.019 which promise 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:33.580 that God will 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:34.139 raise up 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:34.800 a descendant 00:12:34.800 --> 00:12:35.259 of David 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:35.899 whose kingdom 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:36.860 will be established 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:37.539 forever. 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.320 They know 00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:39.899 the promises 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:40.899 of Isaiah, 00:12:41.180 --> 00:12:41.720 Jeremiah, 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.399 Ezekiel, 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:42.940 Daniel, 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.220 and Zechariah. 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:46.000 They anticipate 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:46.660 the coming 00:12:46.660 --> 00:12:47.300 of a Messiah 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:47.660 who would 00:12:47.660 --> 00:12:48.540 deliver God's 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:48.920 people 00:12:48.920 --> 00:12:50.279 and establish 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.399 his righteous 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:51.879 rule. 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.259 And now, 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:55.160 Jesus approaches 00:12:55.160 --> 00:12:55.700 Jerusalem 00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:57.000 having demonstrated 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.879 an extraordinary 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.519 authority 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.340 that extends 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.519 even over 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.580 death. 00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:03.759 It's not difficult 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.500 to understand 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.519 why so many people 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.200 would anticipate 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:07.160 that he has come 00:13:07.160 --> 00:13:08.000 to restore 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.600 the kingdom 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.720 to Israel. 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:11.700 the palm branches 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:12.240 themselves 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.139 likely contribute 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:14.040 to the atmosphere 00:13:14.040 --> 00:13:14.600 of national 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.200 celebration. 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:15.940 In Jewish 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.580 history, 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:17.600 palm branches 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.300 have been associated 00:13:18.300 --> 00:13:19.019 with victory 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:20.560 and deliverance. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:21.759 And the 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:22.300 proclamation 00:13:22.300 --> 00:13:23.139 from Psalm 00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:23.960 118 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:25.220 is especially 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.500 significant. 00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:28.240 It's a celebration 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.220 of the Lord's 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:29.899 salvation 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:30.639 and the 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.759 language employed 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.399 by the crowd 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.180 is entirely 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:33.940 appropriate 00:13:33.940 --> 00:13:35.480 for the arrival 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.519 of God's 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:37.759 promised king. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:40.299 But then, 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:41.000 John draws 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.519 our attention 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.360 to something 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:44.379 Jesus does. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:46.519 Verse 14 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.019 tells us 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:47.439 that Jesus 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:48.819 finds a young 00:13:48.819 --> 00:13:49.220 donkey 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:49.819 and sits 00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:50.960 chapter 9 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:52.460 and verse 9. 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:53.740 You read earlier 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:54.539 Jake led us 00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:54.939 in a reading 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:55.840 of Zechariah 9, 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.460 9 and 10 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.659 and the previous 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.059 week, 00:13:58.319 --> 00:13:58.740 the same 00:13:58.740 --> 00:13:59.659 because I wasn't 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.100 here and I 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:00.720 intended to preach 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:01.259 this text. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:01.679 So, 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.259 you had to endure 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:04.419 Zechariah 9, 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:05.439 9 through 10 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:06.980 two Lord's 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.900 days in a row. 00:14:09.260 --> 00:14:09.880 I want to spend 00:14:09.880 --> 00:14:10.500 a few moments 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:11.280 considering 00:14:11.280 --> 00:14:12.440 Zechariah's 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:13.040 prophecy 00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:13.840 because without 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:14.640 understanding 00:14:14.640 --> 00:14:15.500 its original 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.200 context, 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:17.700 we are unlikely 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.480 to appreciate 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.640 the significance 00:14:19.640 --> 00:14:20.680 of what Jesus

00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:21.560 is doing. 00:14:23.300 --> 00:14:23.920 Zechariah 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:24.520 ministered to 00:14:24.520 --> 00:14:24.860 the Jewish 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:25.660 people following 00:14:25.660 --> 00:14:26.340 their return 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.040 from exile 00:14:27.040 --> 00:14:27.640 in Babylon. 00:14:28.780 --> 00:14:29.320 The people 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:29.920 had returned 00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:30.560 to the land 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:31.580 and the temple 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.320 would be rebuilt, 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:33.300 but the glorious 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:34.540 promises associated 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:35.279 with the restoration 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:35.919 of Israel 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:37.279 remained largely 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:38.219 unfulfilled. 00:14:39.199 --> 00:14:39.899 They were still 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:41.399 subject to foreign 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:41.860 powers. 00:14:42.599 --> 00:14:43.120 The Davidic 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.179 monarchy had not 00:14:44.179 --> 00:14:44.839 been restored 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:46.159 and the people 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:47.439 continued to await 00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:48.139 the fulfillment 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:49.480 of God's covenant 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:50.059 promises. 00:14:51.159 --> 00:14:52.219 In the first 00:14:52.219 --> 00:14:52.860 eight verses 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.679 of Zechariah 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:54.559 chapter 9, 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:55.639 God announces 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:56.659 judgment against 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.919 a series of nations 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.799 and cities 00:14:58.799 --> 00:14:59.879 that had historically 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:00.819 threatened or 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:01.519 opposed 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.519 his people. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:04.100 Damascus, 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:04.980 Tyre, 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:05.600 Sidon, 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:06.000 and the 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.720 Philistine cities 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.659 are all brought 00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.480 under the judgment 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.659 of God. 00:15:10.579 --> 00:15:11.279 The language 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:11.939 is that of 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:12.840 conquest, 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:13.860 judgment, 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.399 deliverance. 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.019 And then 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:18.179 in verse 9, 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.480 Zechariah announces 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.240 the arrival 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.639 of the king. 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.579 He calls upon 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:24.539 the daughter of Zion 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.220 to rejoice 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:26.139 because her king 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:26.799 is coming, 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.059 righteous and 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:29.199 possessing salvation, 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:31.240 humble and 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:33.060 riding upon a donkey. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.419 Now, 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:36.600 you should notice, 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:38.120 we do well to notice 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.659 the contrast. 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.779 The opening verses 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.500 of the chapter 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:44.060 describe the overthrow 00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:45.340 of powerful nations. 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:46.799 But when the 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:48.120 promised king arrives, 00:15:48.180 --> 00:15:49.120 he does not appear 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.159 as we might expect 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:52.159 a military conqueror 00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:53.320 to appear. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:55.620 He comes in humility. 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.820 He rides upon a 00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:58.860 donkey. 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:00.580 And then 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.300 verse 10 00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:02.440 provides an 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.560 important explanation. 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.759 God promises 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.740 to remove 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:07.700 the chariot 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:08.779 from Ephraim, 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:10.320 the war horse 00:16:10.320 --> 00:16:11.360 from Jerusalem, 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.399 and the instruments 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:13.200 of warfare 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:15.080 from his people. 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:17.259 The promised king 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:17.879 will speak 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.240 peace to the nations, 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.539 and his dominion 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.220 will extend 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.340 from sea to sea 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.399 to the ends 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.879 of the earth. 00:16:26.180 --> 00:16:26.539 Do you see 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.579 what Zechariah 00:16:27.579 --> 00:16:28.759 is describing? 00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:31.219 God promises 00:16:31.219 --> 00:16:31.659 a king 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.339 who will establish 00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:33.059 a universal 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:34.179 kingdom of peace, 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.500 but the character 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.139 of that kingdom 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.219 is fundamentally 00:16:37.219 --> 00:16:38.179 different from 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:39.000 the kingdoms 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.719 established 00:16:39.719 --> 00:16:40.879 by the military 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.019 powers of 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.959 this world. 00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:44.679 The prophets 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:45.459 are not promising 00:16:45.459 --> 00:16:46.559 merely another 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:47.639 earthly empire 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.240 with Israel 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.339 occupying the position 00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:50.039 previously held 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:50.559 by

Babylon, 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.019 Persia, 00:16:51.099 --> 00:16:51.740 or Rome. 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.779 They anticipate 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.799 the establishment 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.840 of God's 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:56.799 righteous kingdom 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:58.440 under the authority 00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:59.240 of his 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.379 appointed Messiah. 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.659 And yet, 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.480 throughout the history 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.019 of Israel, 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:04.559 there was a 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.640 persistent tendency 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:06.240 to interpret 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.819 the promise 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.259 of God 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:07.900 primarily 00:17:07.900 --> 00:17:08.839 through the lens 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.200 of immediate 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.380 political 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.519 circumstances. 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.460 Deliverance 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:14.940 meant freedom 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.539 from foreign 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.120 domination. 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.000 Restoration 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.160 meant national 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:19.960 independence. 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:21.600 victory 00:17:21.600 --> 00:17:22.160 meant the 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:22.660 defeat 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.600 of Israel's 00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:24.079 earthly 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.039 enemies. 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.100 Now, 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:27.779 to be clear, 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:28.940 the Old Testament 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:30.059 really does promise 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.220 judgment upon the nations, 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.180 vindication for 00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.840 God's people, 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.759 and the universal 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:35.440 reign of the 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:35.860 Messiah. 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:38.039 The mistake 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:38.680 would be to 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.880 reduce those 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:41.000 promises to 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.640 a political 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.539 revolution 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:44.160 against Rome. 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.680 Because that is 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:46.500 not the manner 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.120 in which Jesus 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:48.120 has come to 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:48.779 establish his 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.120 kingdom. 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.519 And Jesus 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.240 makes that 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:52.039 unmistakably 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.100 clear through 00:17:53.100 --> 00:17:53.660 his actions. 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.500 Now, 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:56.380 we sometimes 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:57.019 hear that Jesus 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:57.700 rode upon a 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.299 donkey simply

00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:59.039 because donkeys 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.920 are humble 00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:00.799 animals. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.779 I made that 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.380 point just a 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:03.019 moment ago. 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.279 Whereas, 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.340 horses are 00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:06.200 impressive 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.579 animals. 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:09.180 There's some 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.759 truth in that 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.740 contrast. 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.360 We should also 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:14.039 be careful not 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.960 to oversimplify 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.259 it. 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.940 In the Old 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.279 Testament, 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:17.940 donkeys could 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.039 also serve as 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:20.440 royal mounts. 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:21.480 Solomon, 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.279 for example, 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:22.819 rode upon 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.539 David's mule 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.039 when he was 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:25.180 publicly recognized 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.160 as king 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:27.859 in 1 Kings 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.660 chapter 1. 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.259 So the 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.099 significance is 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.819 not that Jesus 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.799 chooses an 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.920 animal entirely 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.759 incompatible 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:36.220 with kingship. 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.920 rather, 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.799 Jesus deliberately 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:41.180 identifies himself 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.620 with the 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:43.000 particular kind 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.740 of kingship 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:45.319 described in 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.180 Zachariah's 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:47.120 prophecy. 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.460 He comes as 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.279 the promised 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:50.860 king, 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:52.740 but not as a 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:54.339 military conqueror. 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:55.880 His kingdom 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:56.700 will not be 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.740 established through 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.440 the instruments 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.600 of earthly 00:18:59.600 --> 00:19:00.420 warfare. 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.100 And this is 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:02.680 consistent with 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.559 everything John 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.180 has already 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:05.140 told us. 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:06.580 In John 00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:07.300 chapter 6 00:19:07.300 --> 00:19:08.280 and verse 15, 00:19:09.020 --> 00:19:09.540 following the 00:19:09.540 --> 00:19:10.020 feeding of the 00:19:10.020 --> 00:19:10.720 5,000, 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.240 the people 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.960 intended to 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.640 take Jesus 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.320 by force 00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:13.860 and make 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.600 him king, 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.720 but Jesus 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:17.140 withdrew. 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:18.600 Do you 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:19.060 remember why? 00:19:20.580 --> 00:19:21.400 Not because 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:22.160 he was unwilling 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:22.780 to be king, 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.280 but because he 00:19:24.280 --> 00:19:24.780 would not 00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:25.940 submit his 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.580 messianic 00:19:26.580 --> 00:19:27.580 mission to 00:19:27.580 --> 00:19:28.740 their mistaken 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.980 expectations. 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.560 And later 00:19:32.560 --> 00:19:33.040 in John 00:19:33.040 --> 00:19:33.820 chapter 18 00:19:33.820 --> 00:19:34.220 and verse 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:34.940 36, 00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:36.360 Jesus will 00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:37.040 explain to 00:19:37.040 --> 00:19:37.600 Pilate that 00:19:37.600 --> 00:19:38.180 his kingdom 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:38.920 is not 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.520 of this 00:19:39.520 --> 00:19:40.080 world. 00:19:41.020 --> 00:19:41.500 His kingdom 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:41.960 does not 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.600 derive its 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:43.520 authority or 00:19:43.520 --> 00:19:44.220 character from 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.720 the political 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.460 powers of 00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:47.000 this age. 00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:48.700 Here, 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.380 in John 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.040 12, 00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:51.580 Jesus is 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:52.200 openly 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.640 presenting 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.480 himself as 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.340 Israel's 00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:55.020 promised 00:19:55.020 --> 00:19:55.680 king, 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:56.740 but he 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.380 does so 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.020 in a manner 00:19:58.020 --> 00:19:58.820 that challenges 00:19:58.820 --> 00:19:59.620 the assumptions 00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.520 of those 00:20:00.520 --> 00:20:01.120 who are 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:01.860 welcoming him. 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:03.479 the crowd 00:20:03.479 --> 00:20:04.779 expects a 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.879 king who 00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:06.240 will defeat 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:06.659 Rome. 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.779 Jesus has 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.339 come to 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:10.059 defeat sin 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.240 and death. 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.079 The crowd 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:14.319 anticipates a 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:14.859 throne in 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:15.299 Jerusalem. 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.119 Jesus is 00:20:17.119 -->

00:20:18.740 approaching a 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.439 Roman cross. 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.759 The crowd 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:23.179 desires deliverance 00:20:23.179 --> 00:20:24.139 from earthly 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:24.979 oppression. 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.079 salvation. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:26.920 Jesus has 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:27.440 come to 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.160 accomplish the 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:28.880 redemption of 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.400 his people 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:29.839 through the 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.339 sacrifice of 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.099 his own 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:33.240 life. 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.019 All of 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.799 this is 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.299 better. 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:38.460 And those 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.279 distinctions are 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:39.819 not intended 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:40.399 to suggest 00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:41.019 that God's 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:41.539 kingdom has 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.680 no implications 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.220 for the 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:43.740 world in 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.899 which we 00:20:44.899 --> 00:20:45.279 live. 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.099 Zechariah 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:47.539 9, 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.200 verse 10, 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.619 makes it 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.139 clear that 00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:49.519 the reign 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:49.740 of the 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.279 Messiah will 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.779 ultimately 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.579 extend 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.159 throughout 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:53.539 the earth. 00:20:54.659 --> 00:20:55.200 The victory 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:55.559 of Jesus 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.079 Christ will 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.619 be accomplished 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:57.039 through his 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.819 willing submission 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.460 to death, 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.839 followed by 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:00.579 his resurrection 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:02.019 and exaltation. 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.099 Now, 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:05.519 there's another 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.740 detail in 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.240 Zechariah 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.740 9 that 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.220 we shouldn't 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.019 overlook. 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:11.720 In verse 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.259 11, 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:12.720 immediately 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.440 following the 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:13.920 promise of 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.279 the coming 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.839 king and 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.480 his universal 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:15.980 reign, 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.279 God speaks 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.819 of delivering 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.759 prisoners because 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.420 of the blood 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.440 of his 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:20.759 covenant. 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:22.900 That language 00:21:22.900 --> 00:21:23.759 ought to 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.799 remind us of 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.200 the covenant 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:25.759 established 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.599 through sacrifice 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.319 in Exodus 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.500 chapter 24. 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:30.539 And as we 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.000 read the 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.539 scriptures in 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:31.980 light of their 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.859 fulfillment in 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:33.500 Jesus Christ, 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:34.279 we recognize 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:34.819 that the 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.319 promised 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:35.879 deliverance 00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.359 of God's 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.480 people is 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.119 ultimately 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:39.379 secured through 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:39.919 the blood 00:21:39.919 --> 00:21:41.299 of the new 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:41.980 covenant. 00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:44.240 Jesus himself 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.500 will explain 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.779 this at the 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.399 Last Supper. 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.119 So the 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.259 larger context 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:50.859 of Zechariah 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:51.519 9 brings 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.099 together the 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:52.539 coming of 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.059 the king, 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.399 the establishment 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.319 of peace, 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.319 the extension 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:56.960 of his kingdom 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:57.779 to the nations, 00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:58.279 and the 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.240 deliverance of 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:00.079 God's people 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.599 through covenantal 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.500 blood. 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:04.460 all of these 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.779 things find 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.460 their ultimate 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:08.519 fulfillment in 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:10.019 Jesus Christ. 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.619 And all of 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:12.940 this because 00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.619 Jesus went and 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.980 found a donkey 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.119 and rode it in 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.299 to Jerusalem. 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.220 It's not to 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.099 help us understand 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.079 why his arrival 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:22.660 in Jerusalem must 00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:24.119 be interpreted in 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:25.339 light of the 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.980 crucifixion that 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.500 will follow. 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:29.619 the king

is 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.480 coming, not 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:30.960 merely to 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.420 announce his 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.480 reign, but 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.119 to accomplish 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.839 the redemption 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.579 upon which 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.180 his saving 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.940 kingdom is 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.259 founded. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.599 I'm going to 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.220 make a brief 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.319 application here 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.279 before we 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.799 move on. 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.819 I think there 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.380 is a warning 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:46.059 for us in the 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:46.640 way the crowd 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.299 appears to 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.119 understand the 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.700 Old Testament 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.619 promises. 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:51.759 It is entirely 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.720 possible to take 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.339 something God 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:54.099 has genuinely 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:55.559 promised and 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.839 misunderstand its 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.639 fulfillment because 00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.259 we've allowed our 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.599 own desires to 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.759 determine how we 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.919 think God ought 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:02.859 to accomplish it. 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.559 We are not 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:06.199 immune to that 00:23:06.199 --> 00:23:06.679 temptation. 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.899 We may approach 00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.339 the scriptures 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:10.359 assuming that God's 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.339 primary concern is 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.379 to secure our 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.199 immediate comfort, 00:23:13.419 --> 00:23:14.279 preserve our 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.959 circumstances, 00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:16.379 advance our 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:17.279 preferred political 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.199 outcomes, or 00:23:18.199 --> 00:23:19.500 protect us from 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.740 suffering. 00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.379 And when God 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:23.319 acts in ways that 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.159 do not correspond 00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:24.939 to those 00:23:24.939 --> 00:23:25.779 expectations, 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:27.399 Christians, we 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.240 become confused. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.240 Has our God 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.160 failed to be 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:32.639 faithful to his 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.019 promises? 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.680 But the proper 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.480 approach to 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.220 scripture is not 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.099 to begin with what 00:23:38.099

--> 00:23:39.160 we wish God would 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.059 accomplish and then 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.859 search for promises 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:41.539 that appear to 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.019 support our 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.500 desires. 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:44.680 We must allow 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:46.099 God to define 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.420 his own purposes, 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.619 his own promises, 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:50.660 and the manner in 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.899 which those promises 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:54.620 will be fulfilled. 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:57.220 And nowhere is that 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:59.160 more important than 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:01.080 our understanding of 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:01.800 Jesus Christ. 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.960 If we interpret 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:05.660 Jesus primarily as 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.759 the means by which 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.880 we obtain the life 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:09.140 we already desire, 00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:10.519 then we have 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.180 fundamentally 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:13.480 misunderstood his 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:13.820 mission. 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:18.200 He has not come 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.399 merely to improve 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:21.059 our circumstances. 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.720 He has come to 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:24.259 reconcile sinners 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.480 to God. 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:26.799 And that 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.379 reconciliation 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:29.439 requires his 00:24:29.439 --> 00:24:29.819 death. 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:32.019 Which brings us 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.079 to what I believe 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.399 is the interpretive 00:24:34.399 --> 00:24:35.659 center of our 00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:37.259 passage in my 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.759 third point. 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:39.779 Yes, it's a 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.099 chiasm. 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:42.099 Jesus, the 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.099 king whose 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:44.980 glory was 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.599 misunderstood. 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:48.059 Look carefully 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:49.879 at verse 16. 00:24:51.159 --> 00:24:51.740 John tells us 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.359 that the disciples 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:53.519 did not understand 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.500 these things at 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:54.980 first. 00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.439 But when Jesus 00:24:56.439 --> 00:24:57.519 was glorified, 00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:58.259 they remembered 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.779 what had been 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.679 written about him 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.439 and recognized 00:25:00.439 --> 00:25:01.639 that these things 00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:02.399 had been done 00:25:02.399 --> 00:25:03.799 to him. 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:05.959 I want us to 00:25:05.959

--> 00:25:06.779 consider the 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:08.659 remarkable nature 00:25:08.659 --> 00:25:09.779 of that admission. 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:12.039 John is writing 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.719 his gospel 00:25:12.719 --> 00:25:13.599 after the 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.059 resurrection 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.919 and exaltation 00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:15.259 of Jesus 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.759 Christ. 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.199 He has had 00:25:17.199 --> 00:25:17.859 the opportunity 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.699 to reflect upon 00:25:18.699 --> 00:25:19.359 the life and 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:19.819 ministry of 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.599 Jesus in light 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:21.500 of everything 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.639 that followed. 00:25:23.659 --> 00:25:24.079 And looking 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:25.039 back upon 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.679 this event, 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:26.699 he acknowledges 00:25:26.699 --> 00:25:27.379 that he and 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:27.659 the other 00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:28.480 disciples did 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.599 not understand 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.619 what was 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:30.959 happening. 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:32.779 Now, 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.799 John does 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.699 not tell us 00:25:34.699 --> 00:25:35.819 precisely which 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.639 aspects of the 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.439 event confused 00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:38.019 them, and we 00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:39.459 ought not claim 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.500 more than the 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.259 text reveals. 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:42.920 But the 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.539 connection between 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.240 their lack of 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.180 understanding, the 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.779 Old Testament 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.920 prophecy, and the 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:48.140 later glorification 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.380 of Jesus strongly 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:50.880 suggests that 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.600 their confusion 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:52.420 concerned the 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.480 relationship between 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.460 the promised 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.620 messianic king 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:57.180 and the suffering 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.559 that awaited him. 00:25:58.559 --> 00:26:00.079 and this would 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.379 be consistent 00:26:01.379 --> 00:26:02.700 with what the 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.339 other gospel 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.480 writers tell 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:04.859 us. 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.000 In Matthew 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.779 16, when 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.419 Jesus begins 00:26:07.419 --> 00:26:07.980 teaching his 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.619 disciples that 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.279 he must go to 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.139 Jerusalem, suffer, 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.859 be killed, and 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:11.579 rise again, 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.159 Peter responds 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:14.679 by rebuking 00:26:14.679 --> 00:26:14.919 him. 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:16.659 In Luke 00:26:16.659 --> 00:26:17.559 chapter 18, 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.559 Jesus explicitly 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.099 tells the 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.980 twelve that the 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.759 things written by 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.279 the prophets 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.940 concerning the 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:22.659 Son of Man are 00:26:22.659 --> 00:26:23.179 about to be 00:26:23.179 --> 00:26:23.679 accomplished, 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:25.119 including his 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:25.960 suffering, death, 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.059 and resurrection. 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.480 And Luke 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.039 tells us that 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.519 the disciples 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.880 understood none 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.500 of these things. 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:33.819 You see the 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.940 pattern? 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.519 The disciples 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.600 believe Jesus 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:38.480 is the Messiah. 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.039 They have 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.519 witnessed his 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:39.960 miracles. 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:40.360 They have 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:40.660 heard his 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.120 teaching. 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.460 They have 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.019 confessed his 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.539 identity. 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.340 But they 00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:44.200 struggle to 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.740 comprehend that 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:47.079 the Messiah must 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:48.759 suffer and die. 00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:50.460 And in John 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:52.019 12, that 00:26:52.019 --> 00:26:53.100 difficulty is 00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:55.240 expressed again. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:57.160 we should 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.860 recognize that 00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.380 the problem 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:59.880 was not an 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:01.160 absence of 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:01.480 biblical 00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:02.100 revelation. 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:03.620 The Old 00:27:03.620 --> 00:27:04.279 Testament contains 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.460 extensive testimony 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.220 concerning both 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.120 the glory and 00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:08.240 the suffering of 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.400 the Messiah. 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:11.380 The promises of 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:12.600 his kingship are 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.920 unmistakable. 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.600 Psalm 2 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.660 describes God's 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.340 anointed king 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.120 ruling over the

00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:18.500 nations. 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.980 Psalm 72 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.819 anticipates a 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.420 righteous king 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.059 whose dominion 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.759 extends to the 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.240 ends of the 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.660 earth. 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.960 Isaiah 9 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.660 announces the 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.180 coming of a 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:26.620 son whose 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.320 government and 00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:27.779 peace will 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:29.060 have no end. 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:30.740 But the 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.140 same Old 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.420 Testament also 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:34.019 describes a 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.800 suffering servant. 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.620 Isaiah 53 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.259 speaks of one 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:37.840 who bears the 00:27:37.840 --> 00:27:38.400 sins of others, 00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:39.120 suffers under 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:39.980 divine judgment, 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.019 and makes many 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.840 to be accounted 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:43.000 righteous. 00:27:44.060 --> 00:27:44.900 Psalm 22 00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.720 describes the 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:46.420 suffering of the 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.060 righteous one 00:27:47.060 --> 00:27:48.140 whose affliction 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.340 ultimately leads to 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:50.300 the praise of God 00:27:50.300 --> 00:27:50.920 among the 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:51.420 nations. 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.560 And Zechariah 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.740 in chapter 12 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.359 speaks of the 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:55.799 one who will 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.559 be pierced, 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:57.879 while chapter 13 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.899 describes the 00:27:58.899 --> 00:28:00.539 striking of the 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:00.919 shepherd. 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.839 The scriptures 00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:04.700 anticipate both 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:06.240 the suffering and 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:08.079 the glory of the 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.480 Messiah. 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.460 The disciples' 00:28:10.679 --> 00:28:11.440 difficulty was 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:12.480 understanding how 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.899 those realities 00:28:13.899 --> 00:28:15.519 belonged together. 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:17.339 And I would 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.179 suggest that this 00:28:18.179 --> 00:28:18.720 is one of the 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:20.179 great lessons John 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.060 wants us to 00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:22.279 learn from 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:22.940 his account. 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.279 The glory of 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.100 Jesus Christ 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:27.259 cannot be 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.620 properly understood 00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:30.140 apart from 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:30.740 his suffering. 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.640 We cannot 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.420 understand his 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.400 kingship without 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:36.039 understanding his 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.500 cross. 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.779 We cannot 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.580 understand his 00:28:38.580 --> 00:28:40.200 victory without 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:42.160 understanding his 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.580 death. 00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:44.340 First the cross, 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:47.140 then the crown. 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:49.180 And we cannot 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:49.920 understand the 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.660 nature of his 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.420 salvation without 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.560 recognizing the 00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:53.560 problem from 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.300 which he has 00:28:54.300 --> 00:28:56.220 come to save 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.580 us. 00:28:58.800 --> 00:29:00.340 Now, notice 00:29:00.340 --> 00:29:02.060 the turning point 00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:03.120 John identifies. 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:05.320 He does not say 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:05.900 that the disciples 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:07.060 understood once 00:29:07.060 --> 00:29:08.060 Jesus had explained 00:29:08.060 --> 00:29:08.780 the prophecy more 00:29:08.780 --> 00:29:09.120 thoroughly. 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:11.240 He said that they 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:12.280 remembered and 00:29:12.280 --> 00:29:14.040 understood after 00:29:14.040 --> 00:29:16.160 Jesus was 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.040 glorified. 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:19.160 That language 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:20.780 is significant 00:29:20.780 --> 00:29:21.660 because John 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.240 uses the 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.340 concept of 00:29:23.340 --> 00:29:23.620 Jesus' 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:25.400 glorification in 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.020 a particularly 00:29:26.020 --> 00:29:27.340 important way 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:28.240 throughout his 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.620 gospel. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.380 We might 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.620 not naturally 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.320 associate 00:29:32.320 --> 00:29:33.100 glorification, 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.100 excuse me, 00:29:34.320 --> 00:29:34.880 we might 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.520 naturally 00:29:35.520 --> 00:29:36.400 associate 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.040 glorification 00:29:37.040 --> 00:29:38.100 with his 00:29:38.100 --> 00:29:39.180 resurrection and 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:39.840 ascension, 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.420 and certainly 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:42.540 those events 00:29:42.540 --> 00:29:44.100 do belong to 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.300 the exaltation 00:29:45.300 --> 00:29:46.160 or glorification 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.200 of Christ. 00:29:48.040

--> 00:29:49.180 But John 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:50.360 also presents 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:51.259 the crucifixion 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.980 itself as 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:54.100 central to the 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:55.080 revelation of 00:29:55.080 --> 00:29:55.380 Jesus' 00:29:55.800 --> 00:29:56.880 glory. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.480 In John 12, 00:29:59.560 --> 00:30:00.880 23, just a few 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:01.580 verses beyond our 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:02.019 passage, 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.540 Jesus announces 00:30:03.540 --> 00:30:04.540 that the hour has 00:30:04.540 --> 00:30:05.360 come for the 00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:06.100 Son of Man 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:07.820 to be glorified. 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:07.859 God. 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.319 And then he 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:10.339 immediately begins 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:11.299 speaking about 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.099 his approaching 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:13.099 death. 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.639 He compares 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:15.359 his death to a 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:15.919 grain of wheat 00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:16.700 falling into the 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.119 earth, 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.079 explaining that 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:19.000 unless it dies, 00:30:19.079 --> 00:30:19.939 it remains alone, 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.819 but if it dies, 00:30:20.919 --> 00:30:21.899 it bears much 00:30:21.899 --> 00:30:22.759 fruit. 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.779 Later in 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.899 verses 31 and 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:26.519 32, 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:28.179 Jesus describes 00:30:28.179 --> 00:30:29.019 the judgment of 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.480 the world, 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.279 the defeat of 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:30.759 its ruler, 00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:31.559 and the gathering 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.200 of people to 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:33.839 himself through 00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:35.039 his being 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:36.399 lifted up. 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.519 John explains 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.279 that Jesus is 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.399 speaking about 00:30:40.399 --> 00:30:41.720 the manner of 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.299 his death. 00:30:43.879 --> 00:30:44.519 So in John's 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.119 gospel, the 00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:45.740 cross is not 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.319 merely an 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.879 unfortunate 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.680 circumstance 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:49.079 that precedes 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.879 the glorification 00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:51.200 of Jesus. 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:53.319 It's integral. 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:54.500 It's part of 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.480 the manifestation 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:57.059 of his 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:58.440 glory. 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:00.500 The crucifixion, 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.299 the righteousness, 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:01.879 holiness, 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.440 wisdom, 00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:02.839 love, 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:03.839 and mercy of 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.899 God are 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:06.700 displayed in 00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.460 the accomplishment 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.900 of redemption 00:31:08.900 --> 00:31:10.000 of his people. 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.940 At the cross, 00:31:12.040 --> 00:31:12.960 Jesus bears the 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.920 judgment deserved 00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:15.519 by sinners. 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:17.120 At the cross, 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.920 he accomplishes 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.620 the work of 00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:18.960 the ordinary 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:20.500 nature of 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.440 divine love, 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.740 not by 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.420 overlooking 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:23.940 sin, 00:31:24.060 --> 00:31:24.380 but by 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:25.820 satisfying the 00:31:25.820 --> 00:31:26.840 demands of 00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:28.200 divine justice 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.500 through his 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.620 own sacrifice. 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:33.360 Only after 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:34.839 these events 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.539 the disciples 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.059 begin to 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:36.599 comprehend 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:37.299 what had 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:37.679 been taking 00:31:37.679 --> 00:31:39.099 place before 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:39.740 their eyes. 00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:40.219 All the 00:31:40.219 --> 00:31:41.240 meaning packed 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.479 into Jesus 00:31:42.479 --> 00:31:44.619 riding on a 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:44.939 donkey. 00:31:46.639 --> 00:31:47.199 But there is 00:31:47.199 --> 00:31:47.979 another important 00:31:47.979 --> 00:31:49.059 observation here. 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.859 John tells us 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.579 that after Jesus 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:52.339 was glorified, 00:31:52.419 --> 00:31:52.879 the disciples 00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:53.839 remembered what 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:54.479 had been written 00:31:54.479 --> 00:31:55.299 about him. 00:31:56.199 --> 00:31:56.399 Their 00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:57.299 understanding of 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:57.939 scripture was 00:31:57.939 --> 00:31:59.319 transformed by 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:00.139 the accomplishment 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:01.280 of Christ's 00:32:01.280 --> 00:32:03.200 redemptive work. 00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:05.980 We enjoy an 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.920 extraordinary 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:08.480 privilege as 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.520 Christians living 00:32:09.520 --> 00:32:10.740 on this side 00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.720 of the 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.100 resurrection. 00:32:13.040 --> 00:32:14.100 We have the 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:14.880 completed testimony 00:32:14.880 -->

00:32:15.740 of the 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.120 scriptures, 00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:17.300 the canon, 00:32:17.840 --> 00:32:19.320 our 66 books 00:32:19.320 --> 00:32:19.980 of Old and 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.480 New Testament. 00:32:21.520 --> 00:32:22.759 We can read 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.520 the Old Testament 00:32:23.520 --> 00:32:24.320 promises in 00:32:24.320 --> 00:32:25.200 light of their 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.500 fulfillment in 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:26.820 Jesus. 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:28.940 We can recognize 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.840 the relationship 00:32:29.840 --> 00:32:30.380 between the 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:31.019 suffering servant 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.360 and the 00:32:31.360 --> 00:32:32.059 glorious king 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:32.620 because the 00:32:32.620 --> 00:32:33.059 apostles, 00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:33.880 under the 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.580 inspiration of 00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:35.140 the Holy Spirit, 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.140 have explained 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:37.019 that relationship 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:38.279 to us. 00:32:39.680 --> 00:32:40.279 And while this 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:40.920 is true, 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.480 we should be 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.259 reminded that we 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:44.680 still bring our 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.400 assumptions to 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:45.940 the text. 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.759 We have to be 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.380 humble enough to 00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:49.220 recognize that we 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:50.480 do not understand 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.320 everything. 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.460 In fact, the 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.279 longer we study 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:54.820 God's word, 00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:55.759 the more we 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.620 become aware of 00:32:56.620 --> 00:32:57.240 the limitations 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.400 of our 00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:58.960 understanding. 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:00.799 But we 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.240 should not be 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:02.200 content to 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.019 remain confused 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.599 when God has 00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:04.220 given us the 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:04.920 scriptures for 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:06.620 our instruction. 00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:08.440 Our 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.200 responsibility is 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:09.779 to approach the 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:10.720 scriptures prayerfully, 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.359 humbly, 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.519 carefully, 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:13.920 allowing the 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.539 revelation of 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.079 God to 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.480 correct our 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:16.880 assumptions. 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.700 Because it is 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.880 possible to 00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:20.599 possess greater 00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:21.539 confidence in 00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.519 our interpretation 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.339 of scripture 00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:24.799 while misunderstanding 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:25.640 the very thing 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:27.600 God intends to 00:33:27.600 --> 00:33:28.200 communicate. 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:29.920 The disciples 00:33:29.920 --> 00:33:31.460 themselves are 00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:32.780 evidence of 00:33:32.780 --> 00:33:33.360 that danger, 00:33:34.100 --> 00:33:34.700 and their 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.640 subsequent 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:37.200 understanding is 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.560 evidence of 00:33:38.560 --> 00:33:39.920 God's kindness 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:41.820 in correcting it. 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.600 Number four, 00:33:44.840 --> 00:33:45.520 Jesus, the 00:33:45.520 --> 00:33:46.380 king whose 00:33:46.380 --> 00:33:47.560 kingdom cannot 00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:49.380 be stopped. 00:33:49.780 --> 00:33:50.320 We see this 00:33:50.320 --> 00:33:51.060 verse 17 00:33:51.060 --> 00:33:51.860 through the end 00:33:51.860 --> 00:33:53.500 of our text, 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.960 conclusion of 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.559 our passage. 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:56.720 In verses 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.559 17 and 18, 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.400 John explains 00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.000 that the crowd 00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.240 who had 00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.799 witnessed the 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.259 raising of 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:00.700 Lazarus 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.619 continued bearing 00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:02.279 witness to 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:02.759 what Jesus 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:04.039 had done. 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.500 And the 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:05.839 people who 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.480 came out 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:06.880 to meet 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:07.680 Jesus did 00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.219 so at 00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:09.039 least in 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.099 part because 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.400 they had 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.099 heard about 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:11.780 this remarkable 00:34:11.780 --> 00:34:12.880 sign. 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.400 Now, 00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:15.119 notice again 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.820 the relationship 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:16.340 between the 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:16.980 resurrection of 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:17.579 Lazarus and 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:18.039 the events 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.960 unfolding in 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.360 Jerusalem. 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.059 Jesus has 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.820 demonstrated his 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:22.460 authority over 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:23.260 death and the 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:24.320 testimony concerning 00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:25.220 that miracle has 00:34:25.220 --> 00:34:25.980 produced an 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:27.580

extraordinary public 00:34:27.580 --> 00:34:28.160 response. 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:30.240 But we also know 00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:30.980 that not everyone 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.580 who welcomes 00:34:31.580 --> 00:34:32.180 Jesus in this 00:34:32.180 --> 00:34:33.040 moment understands 00:34:33.040 --> 00:34:33.860 the significance 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.900 of his mission. 00:34:36.080 --> 00:34:36.520 Some are 00:34:36.520 --> 00:34:37.100 undoubtedly 00:34:37.100 --> 00:34:38.100 motivated by 00:34:38.100 --> 00:34:38.740 curiosity. 00:34:39.560 --> 00:34:39.980 Others are 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.980 impressed by his 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.980 miraculous power. 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:43.560 Still others 00:34:43.560 --> 00:34:44.620 likely anticipate 00:34:44.620 --> 00:34:45.440 the immediate 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.500 establishment of 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:46.880 an earthly 00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:47.400 kingdom. 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.520 John does not 00:34:49.520 --> 00:34:50.460 tell us the 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.220 spiritual condition 00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:52.100 of every individual 00:34:52.100 --> 00:34:52.700 in the crowd, 00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.179 and we should 00:34:53.179 --> 00:34:53.899 not assume 00:34:53.899 --> 00:34:54.559 that every 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:54.819 person 00:34:54.819 --> 00:34:55.419 participating 00:34:55.419 --> 00:34:56.599 between the 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:57.799 popular enthusiasm 00:34:57.799 --> 00:34:58.739 surrounding Jesus 00:34:58.739 --> 00:35:00.379 and the fuller 00:35:00.379 --> 00:35:01.319 understanding of 00:35:01.319 --> 00:35:01.960 his identity 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:02.799 that John 00:35:02.799 --> 00:35:03.659 intends his 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.799 readers to 00:35:04.799 --> 00:35:05.199 possess. 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.639 And then we 00:35:07.639 --> 00:35:08.899 come to 00:35:08.899 --> 00:35:09.639 verse 19. 00:35:10.899 --> 00:35:11.759 The Pharisees 00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:12.739 observing the 00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:13.739 enormous public 00:35:13.739 --> 00:35:15.039 response express 00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:16.019 their frustration 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:17.539 with the words, 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:19.800 look, the world 00:35:19.800 --> 00:35:20.460 has gone 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:21.380 after him. 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.559 Now, they are 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.960 obviously employing 00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:25.900 a degree of 00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:26.659 exaggeration. 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.059 They do not 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:28.539 mean that every 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:29.059 person in the 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:29.440 world has 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:30.079 literally become 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:31.019 a follower of 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.559 Jesus. 00:35:32.739 --> 00:35:33.340 They mean that 00:35:33.340 --> 00:35:34.300 their attempts 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:35.179 to suppress 00:35:35.179 --> 00:35:36.039 his influence 00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:36.980 have failed, 00:35:37.300 --> 00:35:38.099 and that his 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:39.119 popularity appears 00:35:39.119 --> 00:35:39.759 to be growing 00:35:39.759 --> 00:35:40.840 beyond their 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:42.380 control. 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:42.440 people. 00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:44.140 But notice 00:35:44.140 --> 00:35:44.619 this. 00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:46.000 John places 00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:46.740 their statement 00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:47.900 immediately before 00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:48.980 the account of 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:50.019 certain Greeks 00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:51.059 who come to 00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:51.920 Jerusalem and 00:35:51.920 --> 00:35:52.700 express their 00:35:52.700 --> 00:35:53.800 desire to see 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:54.740 Jesus. 00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:56.140 And this is not 00:35:56.140 --> 00:35:57.099 an accidental 00:35:57.099 --> 00:35:57.840 arrangement. 00:35:59.180 --> 00:35:59.940 Remember what 00:35:59.940 --> 00:36:00.940 Zechariah 9.10 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.800 promises concerning 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:02.480 the coming king? 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.660 His reign will 00:36:03.660 --> 00:36:04.519 extend to the 00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.440 ends of the 00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:05.780 earth. 00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:06.720 And remember 00:36:06.720 --> 00:36:07.440 what John has 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.240 already told us 00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:09.180 in chapter 11? 00:36:09.179 --> 00:36:10.940 Jesus will not 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.940 die only for 00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:12.239 the Jewish 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:12.739 nation, but 00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:13.460 also to gather 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:14.779 into one the 00:36:14.779 --> 00:36:15.500 scattered children 00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:16.299 of God. 00:36:17.359 --> 00:36:18.059 Then in John 00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.960 12, the 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.919 Pharisees complain 00:36:19.919 --> 00:36:20.679 that the world 00:36:20.679 --> 00:36:21.500 has gone after 00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:21.839 him, and 00:36:21.839 --> 00:36:22.399 immediately 00:36:22.399 --> 00:36:23.159 afterward, 00:36:23.899 --> 00:36:24.899 Greeks appear 00:36:24.899 --> 00:36:26.259 seeking Jesus. 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:27.819 It's a 00:36:27.819 --> 00:36:28.460 remarkable 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:30.239 literary and 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:30.759 theological 00:36:30.759 --> 00:36:31.799 connection between 00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:33.319 these events. 00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:34.980 The religious 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:35.719 leaders are 00:36:35.719 --> 00:36:36.839 concerned about 00:36:36.839 --> 00:36:37.480 losing their 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:38.500 influence over 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.079 Israel. 00:36:39.179 --> 00:36:46.199 people from 00:36:46.199 --> 00:36:47.759 every nation.

00:36:48.960 --> 00:36:49.259 And the 00:36:49.259 --> 00:36:50.039 amazing thing 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:50.639 is that this 00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:51.440 intentional 00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:53.119 kingdom will 00:36:53.119 --> 00:36:53.659 be established 00:36:53.659 --> 00:36:54.039 through the 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:54.940 very death 00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.599 the religious 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:56.519 leaders are 00:36:56.519 --> 00:36:58.219 conspiring to 00:36:58.219 --> 00:36:58.719 bring about. 00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:00.579 They believe 00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:01.179 that by killing 00:37:01.179 --> 00:37:01.699 Jesus, they 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.199 will preserve 00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:02.859 their authority 00:37:02.859 --> 00:37:03.480 and protect 00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:03.980 their nation, 00:37:04.399 --> 00:37:05.099 but their 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:05.599 efforts to 00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:06.500 destroy him 00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.000 will become 00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.599 the historical 00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:08.219 means through 00:37:08.219 --> 00:37:08.899 which God's 00:37:08.900 --> 00:37:10.059 eternal purpose 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:10.780 of redemption 00:37:10.780 --> 00:37:12.320 is accomplished. 00:37:13.780 --> 00:37:14.380 This should 00:37:14.380 --> 00:37:15.139 remind us what 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:15.760 Jesus taught 00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:17.340 earlier in 00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:18.340 John 10. 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:19.900 He described 00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:20.680 himself as the 00:37:20.680 --> 00:37:21.260 good shepherd 00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:22.860 who lays down 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:24.079 his life for 00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:24.660 his sheep. 00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:25.800 And then he 00:37:25.800 --> 00:37:26.519 explained that he 00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:27.660 has other sheep 00:37:27.660 --> 00:37:28.980 who were not of 00:37:28.980 --> 00:37:30.320 the Jewish fold, 00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.480 sheep whom he 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.700 must bring so 00:37:32.700 --> 00:37:33.440 there will be one 00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:34.380 flock under 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:36.119 one shepherd. 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:37.980 That promise 00:37:37.980 --> 00:37:38.920 is being brought 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:40.360 into focus 00:37:40.360 --> 00:37:41.079 here. 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:42.400 The coming 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:43.039 king is not 00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:44.039 merely restoring 00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:44.800 the political 00:37:44.800 --> 00:37:45.740 fortunes of 00:37:45.740 --> 00:37:46.340 one nation. 00:37:47.200 --> 00:37:48.200 He is gathering 00:37:48.200 --> 00:37:48.960 a redeemed 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.619 people from 00:37:49.619 --> 00:37:50.420 every tribe, 00:37:50.660 --> 00:37:50.940 language, 00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:51.640 people, 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:52.960 and nation. 00:37:53.640 --> 00:37:54.160 And the 00:37:54.160 --> 00:37:55.039 means by which 00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:55.460 those people 00:37:55.460 --> 00:37:56.000 are gathered 00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:57.180 is the 00:37:57.180 --> 00:37:57.599 proclamation 00:37:57.599 --> 00:37:58.660 of the gospel 00:37:58.660 --> 00:37:59.539 concerning his 00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:00.740 death and 00:38:00.740 --> 00:38:01.180 resurrection. 00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:01.299 resurrection. 00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:03.239 This is why 00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:03.899 the mission 00:38:03.899 --> 00:38:04.859 of the church 00:38:04.859 --> 00:38:06.239 is fundamentally 00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:07.339 a gospel 00:38:07.339 --> 00:38:07.859 mission. 00:38:09.119 --> 00:38:09.519 We have not 00:38:09.519 --> 00:38:10.179 been commissioned 00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:11.119 to establish 00:38:11.119 --> 00:38:11.559 the kingdom 00:38:11.559 --> 00:38:12.139 of Christ 00:38:12.139 --> 00:38:13.199 through coercion, 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.379 military power, 00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.559 or political 00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.719 domination. 00:38:17.799 --> 00:38:18.259 We have been 00:38:18.259 --> 00:38:19.079 commissioned to 00:38:19.079 --> 00:38:19.799 make disciples 00:38:19.799 --> 00:38:21.619 of all peoples, 00:38:22.379 --> 00:38:22.919 proclaiming the 00:38:22.919 --> 00:38:23.559 good news of 00:38:23.559 --> 00:38:24.259 the crucifixion 00:38:24.259 --> 00:38:25.000 and risen Savior 00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:25.599 and teaching 00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:26.659 those disciples 00:38:26.659 --> 00:38:27.259 to obey 00:38:27.259 --> 00:38:28.599 everything he 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.199 has commanded. 00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:31.539 That mission 00:38:31.539 --> 00:38:32.339 is grounded 00:38:32.339 --> 00:38:33.759 in the authority 00:38:33.759 --> 00:38:34.439 of the risen 00:38:34.439 --> 00:38:35.219 Christ who 00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:36.239 possesses all 00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:36.980 authority in 00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:37.599 heaven and on 00:38:37.599 --> 00:38:38.559 earth and has 00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:39.519 promised to be 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:40.500 with us to 00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:41.579 the end of 00:38:41.579 --> 00:38:42.179 the age. 00:38:43.659 --> 00:38:44.639 The progress 00:38:44.639 --> 00:38:45.259 of that mission 00:38:45.259 --> 00:38:46.199 does not depend 00:38:46.199 --> 00:38:47.199 upon the favor 00:38:47.199 --> 00:38:48.000 of earthly 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:48.419 rulers. 00:38:49.379 --> 00:38:49.679 The kingdom 00:38:49.679 --> 00:38:50.159 of Christ 00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:50.659 cannot be 00:38:50.659 --> 00:38:51.339 prevented from 00:38:51.339 --> 00:38:51.960 accomplishing 00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:53.679 God's purpose. 00:38:54.579 --> 00:38:54.960 That was 00:38:54.960 --> 00:38:56.399 true when the 00:38:56.399 --> 00:38:57.219 Pharisees conspired 00:38:57.219 --> 00:38:57.799 against him. 00:38:57.800 --> 00:38:59.380

It was true 00:38:59.380 --> 00:38:59.900 when Rome 00:38:59.900 --> 00:39:01.039 crucified him. 00:39:01.820 --> 00:39:02.320 And it is 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:03.720 true today. 00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:05.880 The king 00:39:05.880 --> 00:39:06.500 has been 00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:07.460 raised from 00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:08.019 the dead. 00:39:08.120 --> 00:39:08.900 His authority 00:39:08.900 --> 00:39:10.320 is supreme 00:39:10.320 --> 00:39:11.039 and he is 00:39:11.039 --> 00:39:11.800 gathering his 00:39:11.800 --> 00:39:13.039 people through 00:39:13.039 --> 00:39:13.740 the ministry 00:39:13.740 --> 00:39:15.140 of his word 00:39:15.140 --> 00:39:16.560 and spirit. 00:39:18.560 --> 00:39:19.240 So, 00:39:19.680 --> 00:39:20.700 Jesus entered 00:39:20.700 --> 00:39:21.400 Jerusalem as 00:39:21.400 --> 00:39:21.900 the promised 00:39:21.900 --> 00:39:22.720 king, knowing 00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:23.320 that the 00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:24.120 celebration would 00:39:24.120 --> 00:39:24.820 soon give way 00:39:24.820 --> 00:39:25.519 to hostility. 00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:26.780 that his 00:39:26.780 --> 00:39:28.019 disciples would 00:39:28.019 --> 00:39:28.519 be scattered 00:39:28.519 --> 00:39:29.699 and that he 00:39:29.699 --> 00:39:30.000 would be 00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:31.840 condemned and 00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:32.259 crucified. 00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.159 And he went 00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:36.079 willingly, riding 00:39:36.079 --> 00:39:36.619 on a donkey. 00:39:37.920 --> 00:39:38.519 He did not 00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:39.679 misunderstand what 00:39:39.679 --> 00:39:40.300 awaited him. 00:39:41.179 --> 00:39:41.579 He had 00:39:41.579 --> 00:39:42.759 repeatedly explained 00:39:42.759 --> 00:39:43.039 to his 00:39:43.039 --> 00:39:43.820 disciples that 00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:44.739 his death was 00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:45.440 necessary. 00:39:47.199 --> 00:39:47.780 The 00:39:47.780 --> 00:39:48.739 misunderstanding of 00:39:48.739 --> 00:39:49.599 the disciples is 00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:51.259 not the end of 00:39:51.259 --> 00:39:52.539 their story. 00:39:52.719 --> 00:39:54.320 Praise God. 00:39:54.320 --> 00:39:54.360 God. 00:39:55.360 --> 00:39:56.039 John tells us 00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:56.420 that after 00:39:56.420 --> 00:39:56.860 Jesus was 00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:57.460 glorified, 00:39:57.880 --> 00:39:58.920 they remembered. 00:39:59.900 --> 00:40:00.360 They came to 00:40:00.360 --> 00:40:00.920 understand what 00:40:00.920 --> 00:40:01.260 the scripture 00:40:01.260 --> 00:40:01.700 death would 00:40:01.700 --> 00:40:02.120 become the 00:40:02.120 --> 00:40:03.039 very witnesses 00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:03.900 through whom 00:40:03.900 --> 00:40:04.720 the good news 00:40:04.720 --> 00:40:05.600 of that death 00:40:05.600 --> 00:40:06.280 and resurrection 00:40:06.280 --> 00:40:06.700 would be 00:40:06.700 --> 00:40:07.220 proclaimed 00:40:07.220 --> 00:40:09.160 throughout the 00:40:09.160 --> 00:40:09.580 world. 00:40:10.240 --> 00:40:11.100 They began 00:40:11.100 --> 00:40:11.880 that witness 00:40:11.880 --> 00:40:12.640 that is carried 00:40:12.640 --> 00:40:13.860 on to 00:40:13.860 --> 00:40:15.160 today. 00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:17.580 John himself 00:40:17.580 --> 00:40:18.820 is writing 00:40:18.820 --> 00:40:19.620 this gospel 00:40:19.620 --> 00:40:20.180 so that we 00:40:20.180 --> 00:40:21.280 might understand 00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:22.400 what he 00:40:22.400 --> 00:40:23.800 once failed 00:40:23.800 --> 00:40:25.019 to understand. 00:40:26.120 --> 00:40:26.940 He tells us 00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:27.460 his purpose 00:40:27.460 --> 00:40:28.660 in John 20 00:40:28.660 --> 00:40:29.860 verse 31. 00:40:31.120 --> 00:40:31.360 He has 00:40:31.360 --> 00:40:32.560 written so 00:40:32.560 --> 00:40:32.740 that we 00:40:32.740 --> 00:40:33.320 would believe 00:40:33.320 --> 00:40:33.860 that Jesus 00:40:33.860 --> 00:40:34.480 is the 00:40:34.480 --> 00:40:35.019 Christ, 00:40:35.260 --> 00:40:35.820 the Son of 00:40:35.820 --> 00:40:36.200 God, 00:40:36.740 --> 00:40:37.260 and that by 00:40:37.260 --> 00:40:38.140 believing we 00:40:38.140 --> 00:40:38.680 would have 00:40:38.680 --> 00:40:40.740 life in 00:40:40.740 --> 00:40:41.200 his name. 00:40:43.360 --> 00:40:43.760 And so if 00:40:43.760 --> 00:40:44.320 you are not 00:40:44.320 --> 00:40:44.780 a Christian 00:40:44.780 --> 00:40:45.660 this morning, 00:40:46.660 --> 00:40:47.440 I want to 00:40:47.440 --> 00:40:48.000 encourage you 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:48.560 to consider 00:40:48.559 --> 00:40:49.239 the claims 00:40:49.239 --> 00:40:49.840 of Jesus 00:40:49.840 --> 00:40:50.500 as they 00:40:50.500 --> 00:40:50.940 are presented 00:40:50.940 --> 00:40:51.940 in the 00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:52.179 scripture. 00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:53.880 Not merely 00:40:53.880 --> 00:40:54.340 what you've 00:40:54.340 --> 00:40:55.099 heard about 00:40:55.099 --> 00:40:55.380 him, 00:40:56.119 --> 00:40:56.699 not merely 00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:57.019 what you 00:40:57.019 --> 00:40:57.900 would prefer 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:58.679 him to be, 00:40:59.519 --> 00:40:59.940 some 00:40:59.940 --> 00:41:01.299 misrepresentation 00:41:01.299 --> 00:41:02.019 of who 00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:02.799 he is, 00:41:03.299 --> 00:41:03.719 but who 00:41:03.719 --> 00:41:04.519 he has 00:41:04.519 --> 00:41:04.860 revealed 00:41:04.860 --> 00:41:05.820 himself to 00:41:05.820 --> 00:41:06.079 be. 00:41:07.099 --> 00:41:07.659 He is the 00:41:07.659 --> 00:41:07.920 righteous 00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:09.699 king who 00:41:09.699 --> 00:41:09.980 has come 00:41:09.980 --> 00:41:10.340 to save 00:41:10.340 --> 00:41:10.739 sinners. 00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:12.460 And the 00:41:12.460 --> 00:41:13.000 call of the 00:41:13.000 --> 00:41:13.500 gospel is 00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:13.699 that you 00:41:13.699 --> 00:41:14.460 turn from 00:41:14.460 --> 00:41:14.960 your sin 00:41:14.960 --> 00:41:15.719 and trust 00:41:15.719 --> 00:41:16.519 in him, 00:41:17.299 --> 00:41:17.699 believing 00:41:17.699 --> 00:41:18.179 that his 00:41:18.179 --> 00:41:18.599 life, 00:41:18.919 --> 00:41:19.179 death, 00:41:19.279 --> 00:41:19.460 and 00:41:19.460 --> 00:41:19.919 resurrection 00:41:19.919 --> 00:41:20.939 are sufficient 00:41:20.939 --> 00:41:21.899 to reconcile 00:41:21.899 --> 00:41:22.779 you to 00:41:22.779 --> 00:41:23.079 God. 00:41:24.079 --> 00:41:24.739 And if 00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:25.179 you are a 00:41:25.179 --> 00:41:25.599 Christian, 00:41:26.099 --> 00:41:26.539 I want to 00:41:26.539 --> 00:41:27.119 encourage you 00:41:27.119 --> 00:41:27.699 to continue 00:41:27.699 --> 00:41:28.639 growing in 00:41:28.639 --> 00:41:29.419 your understanding 00:41:29.419 --> 00:41:30.579 of the 00:41:30.579 --> 00:41:30.879 scriptures, 00:41:31.119 --> 00:41:32.059 your affection 00:41:32.059 --> 00:41:32.879 for this 00:41:32.879 --> 00:41:33.939 righteous 00:41:33.939 --> 00:41:35.079 king, 00:41:35.259 --> 00:41:35.500 that we 00:41:35.500 --> 00:41:36.399 would wrap 00:41:36.399 --> 00:41:37.059 our little 00:41:37.059 --> 00:41:38.059 feeble minds 00:41:38.059 --> 00:41:39.000 around all 00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:39.399 that his 00:41:39.399 --> 00:41:40.399 person and 00:41:40.399 --> 00:41:41.679 work means 00:41:41.679 --> 00:41:42.259 for us. 00:41:43.439 --> 00:41:44.019 We should 00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:44.659 never become 00:41:44.659 --> 00:41:45.739 so familiar 00:41:45.739 --> 00:41:46.339 with the 00:41:46.339 --> 00:41:46.839 language of 00:41:46.840 --> 00:41:47.260 the gospel 00:41:47.260 --> 00:41:47.600 that we 00:41:47.600 --> 00:41:48.300 lose sight 00:41:48.300 --> 00:41:49.340 of the 00:41:49.340 --> 00:41:50.000 extraordinary 00:41:50.000 --> 00:41:51.840 wisdom and 00:41:51.840 --> 00:41:52.579 grace of 00:41:52.579 --> 00:41:52.960 God 00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:54.380 refilled in 00:41:54.380 --> 00:41:54.579 it. 00:41:55.740 --> 00:41:56.320 Jesus, 00:41:56.519 --> 00:41:57.000 the king, 00:41:57.140 --> 00:41:57.780 has come. 00:41:58.740 --> 00:41:58.980 Jesus, 00:41:59.140 --> 00:41:59.579 the king, 00:42:00.480 --> 00:42:01.120 was crucified. 00:42:02.120 --> 00:42:02.400 Jesus, 00:42:02.760 --> 00:42:03.280 the king, 00:42:03.780 --> 00:42:04.480 is risen. 00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:05.840 And Jesus, 00:42:05.980 --> 00:42:06.360 the king, 00:42:07.160 --> 00:42:07.820 will reign 00:42:07.820 --> 00:42:08.180 forever. 00:42:09.120 --> 00:42:09.700 Let's pray.