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.
Isaiah 53:5-6 (NLT): "But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all."
Jesus knew His mission. He came to die so that we might live.
Do you understand what Jesus did for you? Have you accepted His sacrifice?
The cross was not an accident. It was the plan of God from the beginning—and it was for you.
The cross was never a mistake or an afterthought—it was God’s sovereign plan from the very beginning. From the moment sin entered the world, God’s plan for redemption was already in motion. Revelation 13:8 (NLT) tells us that Jesus is "the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made."
The cross was not just a Roman execution; it was the fulfilment of prophecy, the very heart of God’s love for us.
Jesus willingly walked the path to Calvary—not because He had to, but because He chose to—for you. The nails did not hold Him to the cross; His love did.
This was God’s plan from the beginning. A plan to rescue you. A plan to redeem you. A plan to bring you home. Will you accept His gift of salvation today?
3. Go! And Walk in the Light of Jesus
As Jesus neared the cross, He warned the people in John 12:35-36 (NLT): "Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light."
The word for "light" in Greek is "phós" (f??), meaning not just physical light, but divine illumination, the light of truth and righteousness.
Jesus is saying: Now is the time to believe!
John 8:12 (NLT): "Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’"
Darkness represents sin, separation from God, and spiritual blindness. If we reject the light of Jesus, we remain in the darkness.
The Lighthouse
A lighthouse shines to guide ships safely to shore. A sailor lost in the storm must choose to follow the light or risk destruction.
Jesus is the light that leads us to eternal life. Will we follow Him?
A lighthouse stands firm, unshaken by the raging sea, its beam cutting through the darkness to offer hope and direction. But a lighthouse does not force a ship to safety—the sailor must choose to follow its light or risk being lost to the storm.
Jesus is the Light of the World. He does not merely show the way; He is the way.
Just as a sailor must respond to the lighthouse, we must choose to follow Jesus. To ignore His light is to drift toward destruction.
John 12:46 (NLT) confirms His invitation: "I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark."
The storm of sin, doubt, and fear threatens to pull us under, but Jesus shines brightly—offering salvation, hope, and eternal life. The question is: Will we follow His light or risk being lost forever?
Conclusion: Go! And Follow the King, the Cross, and the Light
The people in Jerusalem saw Jesus, but they did not truly see Him.
They called Him King, but rejected His rule.
They cried "Hosanna!" but did not understand His salvation.
They saw the light, but many chose to remain in darkness.
Today, you have a choice.
Will you recognise Jesus as King?
Will you accept the power of the cross?
Will you walk in the light of Christ?
Call to Action: Step Into the Light
If you have never surrendered to Jesus, now is the time.
The light of Christ is shining, calling you out of darkness and into His marvellous grace.
To step into the light is to step into truth, love, and eternal life. It means turning away from sin and trusting Jesus as your Saviour.
Will you take that step today? Open your heart, confess your need for Him, and receive the gift of salvation. The door of grace is open—but you must choose to walk through it.
Pray this today: "Jesus, I believe You are the King. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I choose to walk in Your light. Forgive me, save me, and lead me in Your truth. Amen."
If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God!
Go! And walk in the light of Jesus!
