| | |
The Cross of Christ
January 1998
by Rev'd Alex Ross, a CCF Governor
given at St James's Church, Muswell Hill
| |
|
|
|
A sermon on John 12:20-36.
· The Cross lifts us out of our every day experience, and reminds us that Christ is the ultimate victor.
· How, each day, do we carry our own cross for Christ?
*****
This exciting passage, in which Jesus predicts his death, followed a period of the most intense interest in the life of Jesus - in his teaching and works. Jesus was the man of the moment. If he had been ministering today he would have been on the front page of every tabloid. In verse 19 the Pharisees said: "Look how the whole world has gone after him!" In verses 20 and 21 some Greeks were interested in Jesus. 'Could they see him?', they asked Philip.
What would you say if someone asked you if they could see Jesus? Jesus responded to the question by talking about his death. How many biographies of famous people include a significant number of pages focusing on the death of their subjects? Not many! Yet John gives a third of his gospel to an account of the death of Jesus Christ. John believed that Jesus' death was important because Jesus himself testified to its importance.
I suggest four headings to help us look at the passage.
THE CROSS IS JESUS' GLORY
In verse 23 Jesus said: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." Jesus saw the crucifixion as his coronation. He saw the Cross as his throne. His death was the culmination and the purpose of his coming to earth. He used the example of the grain of wheat to help explain this. Only when the grain died would it produce new seeds; new life. By dying Jesus would bring eternal life. Are we planting ourselves for Jesus Christ?
Are we dying for Christ where we are? In our offices? In our communities? In our homes? We can either conform to Christ's plan or we can choose comfort? Why should we choose Christ and service of him?
The Christian faith is an Easter faith and in defining his ministry in terms of his death Jesus demonstrates three aspects of his mission. He shows that it is characterised by love in that he is willing to die for us. He shows that it is characterised by justice in that Jesus is taking sin seriously and that the proper punishment for sin is death. He shows that it is a wise mission; that God has wisdom in formulating this plan of salvation.
THE CROSS IS THE WAY TO THE FATHER'S APPROVAL
In verse 27 Jesus says that his heart is "troubled". This is a strong word implying deep inner turmoil. Jesus felt the natural human anguish of someone about to face death. And in response to this inner pain he did what he always did and turned to his Father. 'Save me', Jesus cried to God but almost in the same breath he confirmed his understanding of and commitment to his mission. The aim was to glorify his Father's name and his Father's voice thundered in response in verses 28 and 29.
The voice was largely for the benefit of the crowd (and us today). God spoke his approval of Jesus' work. The crowd was slightly confused as to what the voice was (v29) but they would be foolish to ignore it - as we would.
THE CROSS IS THE PLACE OF JUDGMENT
Verse 31 shows that the Cross is the place of judgement. Sin is overcome and the devil's hold on humankind is ended. But if it is at the Cross that the devil was defeated why does he seem to be continuing to cause such havoc and distress today? Why is there such misery? Has the prince of this world really been beaten by the prince of peace?
A good parallel is to look at the defeat of Saddam Hussein's Iraqi troops after Operation Desert Storm and their expulsion from Kuwait. The Iraqi forces had certainly been badly defeated but woe betide anyone or anything that got in their way as they fled from the liberated Kuwait. The Iraqi troops left a trail of destruction and the devil is doing exactly the same right across the globe until Jesus comes again.
But we need not be afraid. Whilst I have been ministering in Muswell Hill I have had to deal with about a dozen cases of occultic presences in people's homes. The occupants of those homes have often been gripped by fear and there has been the usual torments such as strange noises and slamming doors. In every case when I have gone to those homes with a Christian brother and proclaimed Christ's power over sin, death and the prince of darkness, those problems have ended. Without exception.
Evil has been judged; Christ has taken the punishment due to us and he has triumphed over death.
THE CROSS IS A GREAT ATTRACTION
The message of the Cross is very attractive. Verse 32 shows that Jesus' intention was to draw all men to himself. The message of the Cross is attractive to people in very different circumstances. It offers hope to the dying, forgiveness to the prisoner and fresh challenge to the bored and disaffected. And it has a message for CCF members who may be feeling dejected in opposition or concerned at moral drift in the nation at large.
The Cross lifts us out of our parochialism and reminds all Christians that the ultimate winner is Christ. Sin has lost. Truth and righteousness have won.
A PRAYER: Father of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you let us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ's body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
TEXT
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must Follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. 27 " Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. 34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?" 35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
John 12:20-36 (NIV)
Related links
Two ways to live - the choice we ALL face
St James's Church,Muswell Hill
A sermon on contending for truth in our postmodern culture
| |
|
