John 12:20-50
Today's Passage: John 12:20-50
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13–14)
I’ve written in other Jumpstarts about the significance of the Triumphal Entry. The people crying “Hosanna” as God’s Messiah enters Jerusalem. Daniel 7 helps understand what the people thought the Messiah was coming to do—to overthrow Rome and establish a world-wide empire centered in Jerusalem. Yet, misunderstandings abounded as our passage today made clear.
In verse 16, John shared that the disciples didn’t even understand many of the prophetic significances until after Jesus ascended. Then, we witness the reaction of the Pharisees that couldn’t appreciate the fact that Lazarus was dead and now lived because they hated Jesus so much.
In the next scene, Greeks want to meet Jesus. Jesus says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” This common way of Jesus referring to himself, as the Son of Man, is a Daniel 7 reference—we’ve already seen the Triumphal Entry, and surely everyone was not expecting the “dominion, glory, kingdom” part. However, Jesus compares his life to a piece of grain. It only bears fruit when dead and buried. They could not understand that Jesus was about to do just that.
Again, we see the next reference to Jesus’ death in his being “lifted up.” God spoke from heaven validating everything Jesus said, and yet the people still asked, “Who is the Son of Man?”
John breaks from the events in Jerusalem to give a greater insight to the audience. One possible objection to the Jesus’ story might be, “How can I believe this story when those who were there didn’t get it—many of whom were experts?” John points to the prophet Isaiah to address that objection. God blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts so that the seed could be planted and bear fruit. Additionally, several people did believe, but they were afraid of the Pharisees.
John concludes these stories, stories of confusion and misunderstandings, with Jesus’ declaration. To believe him is to believe the Father. To see him is to see the Father. Jesus came not to rule, but to save. He came not to judge, but to bring eternal life.
The people thought they wanted the Son of Man that we read about in Daniel 7, the one who will break world powers and establish an eternal throne. One who will judge the world, restoring peace and making all things right. What they failed to grasp was that if Jesus came to judge, every person to ever live would spend an eternity apart from God in Hell. This is why Jesus said, “I did not come to judge the world… [but] the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” In other words, “I didn’t come to judge yet.”
Jesus spoke, those words hang in the air with an opportunity for people to hear, repent, and believe for salvation. One day, however, the Son of Man will return as Judge. Let us heed his words while we can. Let us share his words while we can. Because one day, those words will heap judgement on people.
Written By: Tyler Short
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13–14)
I’ve written in other Jumpstarts about the significance of the Triumphal Entry. The people crying “Hosanna” as God’s Messiah enters Jerusalem. Daniel 7 helps understand what the people thought the Messiah was coming to do—to overthrow Rome and establish a world-wide empire centered in Jerusalem. Yet, misunderstandings abounded as our passage today made clear.
In verse 16, John shared that the disciples didn’t even understand many of the prophetic significances until after Jesus ascended. Then, we witness the reaction of the Pharisees that couldn’t appreciate the fact that Lazarus was dead and now lived because they hated Jesus so much.
In the next scene, Greeks want to meet Jesus. Jesus says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” This common way of Jesus referring to himself, as the Son of Man, is a Daniel 7 reference—we’ve already seen the Triumphal Entry, and surely everyone was not expecting the “dominion, glory, kingdom” part. However, Jesus compares his life to a piece of grain. It only bears fruit when dead and buried. They could not understand that Jesus was about to do just that.
Again, we see the next reference to Jesus’ death in his being “lifted up.” God spoke from heaven validating everything Jesus said, and yet the people still asked, “Who is the Son of Man?”
John breaks from the events in Jerusalem to give a greater insight to the audience. One possible objection to the Jesus’ story might be, “How can I believe this story when those who were there didn’t get it—many of whom were experts?” John points to the prophet Isaiah to address that objection. God blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts so that the seed could be planted and bear fruit. Additionally, several people did believe, but they were afraid of the Pharisees.
John concludes these stories, stories of confusion and misunderstandings, with Jesus’ declaration. To believe him is to believe the Father. To see him is to see the Father. Jesus came not to rule, but to save. He came not to judge, but to bring eternal life.
The people thought they wanted the Son of Man that we read about in Daniel 7, the one who will break world powers and establish an eternal throne. One who will judge the world, restoring peace and making all things right. What they failed to grasp was that if Jesus came to judge, every person to ever live would spend an eternity apart from God in Hell. This is why Jesus said, “I did not come to judge the world… [but] the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” In other words, “I didn’t come to judge yet.”
Jesus spoke, those words hang in the air with an opportunity for people to hear, repent, and believe for salvation. One day, however, the Son of Man will return as Judge. Let us heed his words while we can. Let us share his words while we can. Because one day, those words will heap judgement on people.
Written By: Tyler Short
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