The Tale Of Two Eye Exams

Intro. In chapter 11, we saw the miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus. At the beginning of chapter 12, Jesus is anointed, and He declares that Mary did this for His coming death.

I. A Visitation that was Desired - vs. 21-26 The Gentiles come and seek an audience with Him.

A. A Strong Request - vs. 21 - they wanted to be admitted into his presence, to have some discourse and conversation with him

1. They were Strangers - Gentiles

- They Probably participated in the Triumphal entrance of Jesus

- They had heard of the Miracles

- They had heard of Lazarus

2. They were Serious - When it says that they “desired him”, it meant that they repeatedly asked Philip to let them meet with Jesus.

3. They were Sincere - Greeks had many Gods, (Acts 17:23 - Greeks had an altar to the Unknown God) but they had turned away from them to the true God - and now they wanted to know Jesus.

No one will enter heaven unless they have turned form everything else and trusted Christ with a sincere heart. Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation".

B. A Shy Reaction - vs. 22 (Philip, Greek name, possibly why they came to him)

He went and asked Andrew for help!

1. Andrew knew what to do - In John 6, it was Andrew who told Jesus that there was a lad who had his lunch with him. That was his response after Philip reacted!

2. Andrew knew how to introduce Jesus to others - John 1:40 "One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ".

C. A Settled Response -vs. 23 - He is sure, so I can be too!

This is the response of Jesus to the Gentiles desire to see Him!

1. Ready for His Time

Before Jesus had said - My time has not yet come, but not now - It was time for Him to begin the Journey during the next week to the cross. He had already explained to them that the world would not take His life. John 10:17 "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father".

2. Revealing of His Truth - Came to die - Daniel 7:14 "And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed".

II. A View that would not be Dimmed - vs. 27-28

A. His Condition - He was troubled. The weight of Gethsemane was already coming, but not that strong yet. He was troubled, not yet sorrowful. He was beginning to feel the pressure of the hour that would come.

B. His Concern - In His humanity, he asked for protection to get to the cross. He never asked not to go to the cross, rather confessed that is why He had come!

1. The Attacks - Birth, Temptation, and more was coming.

2. The Anxiety - He would have all of my sin upon Him. He would be separated from His Father.

3. The Allowance - He would lay aside His authority to DIE!

C. His Cause - for this cause came I into the world!

1. Jesus was a great humanitarian, but that was not his cause.

- He did good to all around Him by grace, but not his main focus.

2. Jesus was a great debater, but that was not his cause.

- The Pharisees could not trick him, but those debates were not his focus.

3. Jesus was a great leader - but the first time He came, that was not his main cause - HE CAME TO GO TO CALVARY!

D. His Concentration

1. He Looked toward the Father- vs. 28- His desire! Father, glorify thy Name.

2. He Looked toward the People - vs. 30 (one more chance to believe).

E. His Confirmation - A voice came from heaven. Happened 3 times.

1. When Jesus went Down into Jordan (the beginning of ministry).