Go! And Walk In The Light Of Jesus (Palm Sunday) - John 12:12-36 Series

GO! AND WALK IN THE LIGHT OF JESUS - John 12:12-36

Introduction: A Defining Moment

Throughout history, there have been moments that changed everything. Moments when the world shifted. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was one of those moments. It was a turning point—not just for Jesus’ earthly ministry, but for all of humanity.

In John 12:12-36, Jesus enters Jerusalem to the shouts of praise from the crowds, yet He knows the cross awaits Him. He speaks of His purpose, His sacrifice, and His call to the people: to walk in His light.

Today, the same invitation stands before us: Will we choose to walk in the light of Jesus?

Let’s turn to our main passage, John 12:12-36, reading from the New Living Translation: "The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, ‘Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!’"

1. Go! And Recognise Jesus as King

The people in Jerusalem thought they knew who Jesus was. They welcomed Him as a political king, a military leader who would overthrow Rome. But Jesus was not coming to reign over an earthly kingdom—He was coming to reign over hearts, to bring salvation to all who believe.

John 12:13

The crowd shouted: "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!"

This is a direct reference to Psalm 118:25-26, a Messianic prophecy. The Greek word used here for "Praise God!" is "Hosanna" (?sa???)—a cry that means "Save us now!" The people were calling on Jesus to bring immediate deliverance, but they did not understand what kind of salvation He had come to bring.

How often do we, like the crowd, want Jesus to be our kind of king—to fix our problems our way? But Jesus is not just a king who grants wishes; He is the sovereign Lord who brings true, eternal salvation.

As Tim Keller puts it: "Jesus is not merely a king with power. He is a king who comes to die for His people."

We must surrender to who Jesus truly is, not just who we want Him to be.

Tim Keller’s words capture the heart of the Gospel. Jesus is not merely a king with power—He is a King with purpose, a King who came to lay down His life for His people.

In earthly terms, kings wield power to rule, conquer, and dominate. They expect their subjects to serve them, to give their lives for the kingdom. But Jesus is a different kind of King. He did not come to take life—He came to give it.

Jesus was The Servant King Who Came to Die - Jesus, the true King, chose the cross over a throne, suffering over splendour, sacrifice over self-preservation. His crown was of thorns, not gold. His sceptre was a nail-driven hand, not a rod of iron. His robe was soaked in blood, not woven in silk.

Why? Because He came to rescue us.

Jesus is a King unlike any other. Jesus Himself declared in Mark 10:45 (NLT): "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Most kings demand loyalty—Jesus offers love. Most kings demand tribute—Jesus pays our debt. Most kings send soldiers to fight for them—Jesus fights the battle alone and wins eternal victory for us.

What Does This Mean for Us?

Keller’s statement demands a response. If Jesus is not just a king of power but a King who dies for us, then we cannot treat Him as just another religious leader. He is the Saviour-King, and we must either bow before Him in worship or reject Him entirely.

Have you recognised Jesus as your King? Have you embraced the truth that He died for you?

If He is your King, then live for Him, love Him, and follow Him—because He gave everything for you.

2. Go! And Understand the Purpose of the Cross

In John 12:23-24, Jesus declares: "Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter His glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives."

Jesus uses an agricultural illustration. A seed must die to produce life. In the same way, He had to die so that we might live.

The word for "planted" in Greek is "piptó" (p?pt?), meaning to fall or collapse under the weight of something. Jesus willingly fell under the weight of sin and death so that we could be raised to life.