The Glorification of Jesus and Understanding
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: John 1-12: Come, See, Live!
John 12:9-19 (ESV)
9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness.18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
Sermon Outline
The glorification of Jesus (v16) makes sense of the Bible, what Jesus said and did, and ultimately all things.
1. What did they understand?
v9 “they came… also to see Lazarus…”
vv17-18 “The reason why the crowd went to meet him… he had done this sign”
vv10-11, 19 “the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death”, “Look, the world has gone after him”
2. What did they need to understand?
vv12-13 “… went out to meet him… “Hosanna!... even the king of Israel”
vv14-15 “Fear not… your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt”
3. What do we need to understand?
v16 “when Jesus was glorified… they remembered”
Prayer of Confession
Almighty and merciful Father, we acknowledge our ignorance and confusion. We have sought power and have misused it. We have failed to understand your character. We have misunderstood ourselves and our world. Forgive every sin and expression of unrighteousness. We long for the peace that comes through Jesus, the king who came humbly to save. Forgive us and grant us the strength that comes from discerning your glory in Christ. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
When you read the Gospels, what kinds of things do you come across that you don’t understand?
What are some things you see in the sign of Jesus raising Lazarus?
Is it important that God is powerful? How does the portrayal of God as uniquely powerful in the Bible impact you?
What are some of the implications of Jesus coming to his people humbly to bring peace?
How does the death and resurrection of Jesus glorify God?
How does worship empower people?
Why is faith in the mercy and power of God a foundation for making sense of life? What are some ways you can be intentional to remember what Jesus has done as you make sense of what you see, evaluate your own thoughts, and make choices? How can remembering Jesus have a meaningful influence on your thinking?
How can grace re-shape how you remember?