Why Come?

WHY COME?

John 12:12-26

S: Jesus as King

Th: Following the king

Pr: IT IS TIME TO FOLLOW THE KING.

?: Why?

KW: Reasons

TS: We will find in our study of John 12:12-26 three reasons why it is time to follow the King.

The _____ reason to follow Jesus is He (was)…

I. BROUGHT OUT (12-19)

II. SOUGHT OUT (20-23)

III. TAUGHT ABOUT (24-26)

Version: ESV

RMBC 04 April 04 AM

INTRODUCTION:

1. Are you a good follower?

ILL Notebook: Follow (plow)

Jane got lost while driving at night in a snowstorm. Then she remembered what her dad told her: "If you’re ever stuck in a snowstorm, wait for a snowplow and follow it."

Pretty soon a snowplow came by, so Jane pulled behind it and followed for almost an hour. Then the driver stopped and got out. He walked over and asked Jane what she was doing. She explained that her dad had told her to follow a plow if she was lost in a snowstorm. "Okay," said the plow driver. "I’m done with the Wal-Mart lot. Now you can follow me over to Kmart."

Well, here we learn quickly that…

2. It is important, when following, to know whom you are following.

Hopefully, you will make a good choice today.

TRANSITION:

Today, we are continuing our study of the gospel of John.

In our study last week, we learned that…

1. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, some began to scheme for the death of Jesus.

Jesus had clearly made some people unhappy.

The Jewish leaders were finding Jesus’ popularity as unacceptable.

He had to go.

In fact, the high priest, Caiaphas, made it clear that he believed that Jesus had to die in order for the nation to live.

Though he did not realize it, he was being prophetic.

He was speaking the truth even though his purpose was evil.

Because what Caiaphas said was true…

2. Jesus stayed away from Jerusalem until the time was appropriate.

The appropriate time was Passover.

Passover was an annual celebration of the Jewish people.

It was at Passover that the Jews remembered being freed from slavery in Egypt.

God freed them by the vehicle of a devastating plague.

It was the striking of every firstborn.

In order for the Hebrews to avoid this judgment, the Hebrews slaughtered a lamb, took the blood and applied it to the doorpost of their homes.

This acted as a sign to angel of death that the firstborn were to be saved and protected.

Jesus was waiting for Passover because the lamb that was killed for salvation of the Hebrews directly pointed at Him.

He also was to be a lamb that would die.

He would die so that His people would be saved and protected.

He would die so that His people would live.

So…

3. When the time of Passover came, Jesus returned to be worshipped.

Yes, He was worshipped.

It was a meal at the home of the Simon the former leper, and Jesus is having a meal with Simon, Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

And somewhere along the line, Mary decides to do an extraordinary act.

She decides to anoint him with a very expensive ointment.

It was worth a year’s wages, and yet she does it because she loves Jesus so much.

It is, for her, a matter of worship.

And so, as we continue to the next passage in John, and the study of the familiar story known as “The Triumphal Entry,” we can come to this conclusion…

4. IT IS TIME TO FOLLOW THE KING.

But let’s not just say it.

Let’s know why.

Why is it time for each one of us to follow the king...this king known as Jesus?

Well…

5. We will find in our study of John 12:12-26 three reasons why it is time to follow the King.

OUR STUDY:

I. The first reason to follow Jesus is He was BROUGHT OUT (12-19).

Jesus was brought out into the open, for all to see, understand and worship.

(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."