Sunday Morning
March 20, 2004
“Honor, Hate and Determination”
John 12:1-50
NKJ Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
Christ is worthy of honor both because of Who He is, as the Son of God and because of what He has done, He has died on the cross and redeemed us from our sins!
Palm Sunday is a day we set aside to honor Him! Yet, it is no different from any Sunday. They are all the Lord’s Day. Each one should be set aside for this purpose. Yet today I want to look at the Honor He deserves, the hatred He receives and the determination He shows ….
I. Notice the honor Christ receives, seen in:
1. The extravagant love of Mary – John 12:1-8
:1 eats with Lazarus, an occasion of great joy Lazarus had been raised from the dead
:2 made Him, Christ a supper – honor
:3 pound of costly oil, on His feet
Symbolizing His worth!
Humbling herself!
Thanking and admiring Him
A. Worth a year’s wages
B. Three times what Judas got for betraying Christ
2. The adoration of the multitude – John 12:12-15
A. For the previous two centuries, the waving of palm branches had been symbolic for the Jews acknowledging the Messianic Redeemer!
The had been waiting for the prophesied Messiah
They probably did not totally understand what Christ would do
B. Hosanna – “GIVE SALVATION NOW!”
NKJ Psalm 118:26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
3. The seeking of the Greeks – John 12:21-22
A. Soon the Gospel would go to the Gentiles – Acts 13:44-48;
B. The salvation Christ brings is intended for every nation - Revelation 4:9-10
4. The answering Voice from Heaven – John 12:26-30
A. God the Father is with Christ in His mission to save us – John 12:23-28
B. So He is also with those who give up their life (dreams) for the service of Christ – John 12:26
5. The prophecy of Isaiah – John 12:41
NKJ John 12:41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
6. The half-hearted faith of some of the rulers – John 12:42-43
II. Notice too, the hatred He receives from His enemies, seen in:
1. Their plotting of murder – John 11:53; John 12:9-11
NKJ John 11:53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
NKJ John 12:9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,
2. In the miserly and thieving attitude of Judas – John 12:4-8
3. In the frustration the Pharisees express in light of Jesus’ success – John 12:19
4. In their great blindness and hardness of heart even in the light of great miracles (signs) – John 12:37-40
III. Notice also, the determination of Jesus Who rides into Jerusalem, knowing that He is riding to His death, He is determined –
1. In spite of full knowledge of what would happen in Jerusalem – John 11:53-54; John 12:7; John 12:23-26; John 12:32-34
2. He comes as a King, bringing peace – John 12:12-15
3. He comes though troubled – John 12:27-28
4. He comes to defeat Satan – John 12:31; John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4
5. He comes to save souls – John 12:44-50
A. He comes as the Light of the World – John 12:44-46
B. His words are the basis of judgment – John 12:47-48
C. His words come with authority from God the Father – John 12:49-50
D. His commands have in them everlasting life – John 12:50
