The Gospel of John Lesson 47 (09-22-13) John 12:27- 43

The Gospel of John Lesson 47 (09-22-2013)

Lesson 47 – John 12:27- 43

In v. 27, Jesus sensing the reality of what is about to happen was overcome with the enormity of what was before Him and wrestles with Himself. In Heb. 4:15 it tells us that Jesus was tempted in all ways like us yet without sin. Jesus here prays to the Father, depending upon Him for strength and support. Even Jesus relied and depended on the Father. This will not be the only time that we see Jesus wrestle with the enormity of the Cross. We will see Him wrestle with it again in a real way in the Garden just prior to His trial, conviction and execution.  

He prays a simple prayer here, v. 28, giving the situation to the Father asking Him to use what is about to happen for His Glory. Jesus knew the outcome, the cross, that it would not be positive from a purely human perspective. But, He asked the Father to use it to bring glory to His Name.

It was a simple prayer, one of the shortest prayers ever recorded, or prayed for that matter. But, it was a real prayer prayed from the heart of Jesus to the Father and even though Jesus’ prayer was very short the Father not only heard it, but also answered it…audibly! Those that were there also heard God’s answer not knowing what to make of it. In attempting to analyze it some called it thunder; others said that an angel had spoken to Him out loud.

In v. 30 Jesus tells them that the audible voice spoken by the Father was not spoken to reassure Jesus that the Father was with Him through the difficulties before Him, but instead was a message and warning to those present that they need heed Jesus’ words and warnings for the time for them to act was short. In v. 30 He tells them that this voice came for their sakes and follows this statement to them with a warning and a sign…a sign that was to come soon that would be unmistakable. Jesus had a sense of urgency as He proclaimed this. It would be a sign that would be a call to action, if they would come.

In v. 31 He warns them that the judgment of them and this world was only moments away. A new world order was about to step forward and emerge. The King of the Kingdom had come forward just a day ago and they had gone through the motions of welcoming and receiving Him, but did they? Did they accept His offer? Did they welcome and receive Him or were they just caught up in the excitement and emotion of the moment?

His warning in v. 31 was that they had better be sure of they’re motive. Things were about to change. The prince of this world was about to be judged and cast down…the prince that they now served and gave allegiance to even though they did not recognize such. John 8:44. Eph. 2:2-3 II Cor. 4:4 Jn. 14:30 Jn. 16:8-11 Rev. 20:7-10 (Dan. 10:13)

In v. 32 He gives them the sign that they should be looking for and that they should heed. He makes it clear to them exactly what this sign is. It is so clear to them that they question Him about this in v. 34. They are confused about what He says and their perception of what they had been taught about the coming Messiah. It is clear from their response in v. 34 that they were looking for a messiah that was going to show up and stay for a while, conquering their enemies, abiding forever.  After all, was this not what had been prophesied? However, even though they got part of it right they were about to miss the most important part, His death on the cross, the part that they needed to acknowledge and receive. .

But, they were also confused about one other item…His use of the term Son of man. Jesus uses this reference to Himself in v. 23 and they are puzzled by it. It seems that the parable concerning the grain of wheat falling to the ground dying was not given just to His disciples, but was taught publically to those that were there. To use the term God and man connected as one was unthinkable to them. They knew that He had claimed to be the Messiah and as such these two items to them did not fit or go together, God and man as one and God and death. Jesus was preparing them for what was to come as foreign as it was to their belief system.

He warns them in v. 35 that they needed to take heed and give some effort to attempt to understand what He was saying. He makes reference to Himself as being the Light distinguishing Himself from the darkness that was around them. It was clear that they had seen the difference between Jesus and the status quo. But, He tells them in essence that they had gotten comfortable in the darkness of their beliefs and their doctrine, and in order to escape this darkness they would have to think and see things differently thinking in terms of light, His light.

In v. 36 He invites them to come on over to His side giving them the option to be the sons of the Light He was proclaiming to them. This indeed would be a big change from the way they were living and would be a large step for them to take. The question is would they accept His offer?

At the end of v. 36, however, we have an indication of their response. It says that after saying these things Jesus departed and hid himself from them. It does not tell us exactly the reason for His departure and why He hid Himself, but most often this response was a reaction to hostile opposition. Although it does not exactly say this, in v. 37 it does indicate their response to His offer. His offer was not a come if you what to offer to them, but was a call to action, telling them that now was the accepted time to decide, there was not much time left. This would be Jesus’ last public offer and address to come. For those who were in darkness and desired to stay there His sense of urgency would have offended them, probably making them angry and possibly hostile.

But, for many their heart was hard even though Jesus had done many miracles before them witnessing that His message was true. John had begun this Gospel with Light coming to a dark world. Vs. 38-41 tells us that God had previously prophesied through Isaiah that much of the darkness would remain unmoved by His offer. This is a mystery of God. But, the time of darkness was now past, v. 31, and God had begun to separate the darkness and the light.

In v. 42 John declares that even though those in darkness became more resistant to the message of the Light that many chose the opposite coming to the Light instead. But, it also tells us that even though they had made a decision to come to the Light that they had yet to become strong in their commitment. They had many more lessons to learn and their faith being yet immature still gave into public opinion. At this point v. 43 says that they still loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.