Jesus Christ, to Him belongs all the Glory

Jesus Christ, to Him belongs all the Glory

John 12:27-36

1.      Jesus is glorified by the salvation of all people

Jesus came to save sinners and so all He did was in light of this purpose. Whenever we read the Gospels we are always to ask ourselves how does what Jesus does accomplish this purpose. As you all know He did not come to save the Jews only but also Gentiles. In this passage the salvation of the Gentiles is considered in that they came to seek Jesus. They had not only come to worship at the temple, but particularly to seek Jesus.

The Gentiles were in the plan of God of salvation. This was the promise God made to Abraham – I will make you a father of many nations. Therefore, James quoted the words of the prophet Amos, “… that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all Gentiles who are called by name,” (Acts 15:17). The point is that even the Gentiles were saved both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. People like Rahab of Jericho, Ruth the Moabitess, Uriah the Hittite and many others were all added in the plan of God of salvation.

These Gentiles’ coming to Jesus was very important for Him because this is what prompted Him to say, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” God is glorified when men are saved from their sins. He desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1Tim. 2:4).

He was going to draw “all people” to Himself upon His being lifted up because He does not delight in the death of sinners. What a joy it is for us to know that we have been drawn to Jesus not by men or anything but by Himself. No one would be saved who is not drawn by Christ Himself to the life everlasting. He is the only giver of life and ALL who are drawn by Him are indeed saved from their sins.

Our task is to talk about Christ – the Saviour, who is willing and able to save all who draw near to Him by faith. Our responsibility is to point people to Him and He will be the One to draw them to Himself. We are not to draw them because we cannot; we are expected to point them to Jesus the Saviour by bringing them to the knowledge of Him through the gospel. So are you sharing the gospel with someone – children, husband, relative, friend? Do not be those who discard friends, always seek to make them know that there is a Saviour. You might not be able to explain very well – although you should. Then you can give them literature; make use of our audio sermons and video sermons. Pass them on to your friends. Give them tracts and engage them in discussions to do with all these literature… and Christ will be much glorified when they repent and put their trust in Him.

2.      Jesus had to be glorified through death

The hour had come for Jesus to be glorified, by the ingathering of the Gentiles to His covenant people. Moreover, the hour of His glory was in His taking a substitutionary role in dying on their behalf. The hour for the Son of Man to be glorified was in His taking the place of sinners on the accursed tree, to take away the wrath of God, to pay the penalty on their behalf, to be their Saviour. This would bring glory not only from sinners saved but also from God whose wrath would be appeased.

The glory from men is explained in the illustration of the parable of the grain of wheat falling to the ground and dying so that it does not remain alone but bears much fruit to produce much more. Jesus then was the only SON of God, but by His death, He brought many to God as SONS of God, He being the first-fruit among many brethren. Initially the promise to Abraham was to His seed but upon the death of Christ the seed would produce much more. He had to lose His life that He may find many more lives.

How much glory should we yield to Christ who has saved us so freely? How can we not sing, worthy is the Lamb who was slain together with the heavenly hosts? This is what we will forever sing in heaven, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." (Rev. 5:9-10) and again, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" (Rev. 5:12) and again, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" (Rev. 5:13).

Jesus was not going to run away from this hour of anguish and of pain. It was a terrible time for Christ, but He was not going to say, 'Father, save me from this hour'? Because, He had come particularly for this purpose I have come to this hour. (v. 27). He well knew why He had come – to die upon the tree and pay the ransom for His people, those who the Lord had placed in His hand, no one was he going to lose. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. (John 6:38-39)

We are to sing praises to Him for He has saved us eternally and after all this is what we will do forever. Moreover, glory to the Son is living a life worthy of him – in obedient submission to Him. We are to have Him as the Lord and Master of our lives. We are to lives holy lives that are pleasing to Him so that others who say us may glorify Him who has saved us. We are to be willing to lose our lives for Him – yes it is denying ourselves, it is serving Him in word, in deed and with our resources.

We are told “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. You have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." (vv. 35, 36) The word walk simply means ‘live’. This is what we were reminded last Sunday – to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love (Eph 4:1-2). Are we being the fruit of the Spirit? Are we always be fruitful just as our Lord was fruitful after His death, producing many sons of God after Him. We are also to show that we are the children of the light by our lives shining and being the salt of the world.

Let all that is within us praise Him for He has saved. How can we forget the benefits that we have received from Him? He demonstrated His great love for us in that while we were still sinners, He died for us!

3.      Jesus was glorified by the Father

The coming of Christ to save sinners was the will of God and so when we talk about the cross, we are talking about the will of God in our lives that might not necessarily be pleasant to us. Jesus came to do the will of God and He said that His food was to do the will of Him who sent Him and to accomplish his work.

For this reason, we see God on three occasions publically declaring His approval and the glory of His Son who obeyed Him to the point of death, even death on the cross! "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:17). And again, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (Matt 17:5).

The death of the Son was at hand (from here onwards in the gospel of John, it will be all in preparation for His death in Jerusalem). and so it was the time to say that so far, “I have glorified” His name. Please note that the Name of the Father is also the Name of the Son, for we are to baptize them in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Jesus had come to glorify this NAME by His death upon the tree.

Because of His death, the devil, described as the ruler of this world was ultimately defeated – ‘He was cast out.’ Our task, thankfully is not to defeat the devil – he is defeated already by the Strong Man, Jesus Christ. ours is to rejoice with joy inexpressible for the redemption we have obtained from Christ, the Saviour. Thank God the devil is defeated – “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”(Rev 20:10). The glory of the Son is that He ransomed all the elect of God and defeated all the enemies of God.

All these are for our benefit and so we are to live this life as those who have God to worship, hope of eternal life with Him and an inheritance incorruptible, that which does not fade away reserved in heaven for us who believe because of the promise, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3)

Jesus came from God for you!

We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you." He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind." Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, "Are we also blind?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains. (John 9:31-41)

Introduction

Man lives in various needs. There are problems to do with his body – the strength or what to eat to nourish it. Many people believe that people have disabilities because of their sins or the sins of their parents or they were cursed. This thought is not a new idea that is what people of the first century thought! The disciples asked Jesus if this man was blind because of his sins or that of his parents. As you well know this is how people stigmatize the disabled. But Jesus comes along to say along with us that NIKO FITI by providing a permanent remedy both for the infirmity and sin in order to display the glory and the power of God.

Today we are here to say NIKO FITI because the Lord Jesus has so clearly said it. Jesus came on earth to make sure that all say NIKO FITI having had their sins and infirmities dealt with for once and for all.

1.    Jesus came from God for the welfare of men

From this passage we see that man is in utter helplessness because of his condition precipitated by sin. This passage is set on the backdrop of a man born blind and lived as a beggar – the most degrading life because one is ever at the mercy of others. According to the society he has nothing to offer and so they stigmatize him and make his life unbearable.

Very few men are willing to do anything to help others this is why those who come forward to help others are called Philanthropists. There is only one reason that God sent Christ to come on earth – so that He can bring the best of help that he can ever dream of.

Men wanted to stone him to death him in chapter 8 for He said that he was there before Abraham (v.58). Then while passing by from the temple he healed this man born blind. His own disciples were inflicting some stigma that he was in the condition of blindness because of either his sins or those of his parents. Jesus’ answer show that it was not as a result of sins that he was like that – it was so that God might display His works (9:3). We always need to ask ourselves why is it that there are those who are underprivileged in the society? What is God teaching about Himself through these children? How can display the goodness and grace of God to them? This is why the Olgumi Baptist Church has come forward to be counted and show the grace of God to these children. This is what you and I have been called here today to that we may showcase the love of God to them. When you see them unable to do this or the other do you perceive yourself to be better as these disciples showed a holier than thou attitude? We are all like that and it shows the sin in you because Jesus did not just come from the Father to heal but also to save people from their sins.

Jesus came for your welfare – that you may not remain in the condition of sin in which you and I were born. He came to display the works of God the Father. He came to the dark world to bring the light of salvation – to proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

Would you say you believe in Him today? Would be honest with yourself and say that His light has shone in your heart? Have you benefited from the coming of Christ on earth? Would you say that your welfare has been well taken care of by the only advocate of the people to the Father or you will stand before God the judge without a lawyer to represent you? There is only One Mediator (lawyer) between God and people – the Man Christ Jesus (1Tim. 2:5). May I recommend Him to you because I have enjoyed His free services already (Rom. 8:1). Call to Him now and he will be the happy to represent you. No fee is needed all you need to do is to trust Him with your life by asking that He show you mercy and forgiveness and He is both able and willing!

2.    Jesus came from God to help those who see their need of him

For a person to obtain help, he has to see the need in which he is in. For example, if you know that you are not sick with cancer would you take personally as good news that a doctor has discovered the cure for cancer? No! it is until you go to the doctor sick and after multiple tests he announces to you that you are in the worst stage of cancer that you would be very troubled. Then when the news comes that you do not have to worry because the best cure has been discovered. Take another example, animals are stolen and yours are left – is such a good news that they were recovered? But if your 500 animals were among those that were taken then you would be the happiest man to hear that all the animals were found intact.

One has to be blind first for him to appreciate the cure. This is what happened to the man here. When he was instructed by the Lord that going to wash at Siloam pool will bring the sight he was more than willing to go. It was good news to him he said, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." (9:25). Knowing that He had been healed, when Jesus asked him, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" he answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" (9:35,36). He did not hesitate to show his belief in Christ because immediately He knew that Jesus was the Son of Man, the Bible records that he said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. (9:38). Now this is saving faith that is needed of you today. To believe in Christ and you will indeed have the immediate benefit of forgiven sins.

There is no one who will seek knowledge who does not see that he is ignorant. No one will seek after treatment who is not sick. The greatest need for anyone to be saved is that he has to see his need brought about by the condition of sin.  There will be no one saved who has no need for a Saviour. Jesus is willing to save everyone who comes to Him because he has categorically stated that there is no one who will come to him that He will cast away. Please run to Him if you are convinced now about your sins. And you ought to be because God Himself has said in His word that all without exception have sinned and fallen and come short of His glory in Romans 3:23. Please believe God for He is better placed to examine your condition that yourself. You realize that even after healing this man born blind there was still the need for Him to deal with his sins. Do not be deceived the right diagnosis will always come from the doctor not the patient.

The greatest problem that befell men is the sin. One may the best of the best or the worst of the worst in the society but the greatest issue to always contend with is whether one’s sins have been dealt with. There is no one who can say that he has never sinned. Everyone is born a sinner and all are under the wrath of God until such a time as their sins are paid for. For there is no one who is able to pay for his own sins because the payment for sins is death – this is what God has said in His Word in Romans 6:23. Sadly no one has the ability because sin has affected every part of the human beings:

Rom. 3:10ff. The understanding, desires, throat, tongues, lips, mouth, feet, eyes, the heart etc. Sin has to be dealt with from the heart and so it is not a small operation but a total overhaul of the whole being of person. An operation that cannot be done by a man but only by God.

3.    Jesus came from God to cure the worst disease – Sin!

But thank God that there is the GOOD NEWS of the cure. The Great Physician is the Creator of the universe Himself – Jesus through whom all things were created both in heaven and on earth. And the good news is that He is willing to be your personal doctor to deal with your disease. And He is the best doctor there is because He has had no failure – no patient has died or will ever die in hands. Trust Him and will definitely provide the best remedy to cure your disease.

The Bible records of His competency to deal with sins in terms of the successful operations of sickness that He dealt with while on earth - And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel." (Mat 15:30-31)

Then He raised the dead like Lazarus (John 11) then Jairus daughter and the son of the widow of Nain all successful. Just as dealt with diseases so does He deal with sin today. All who go to Him will not taste death but have everlasting life.

Looking at this passage, here we see that the man, though he was born blind, was cured so completely and thoroughly that the Pharisees, did not believe that he had been blind. Those who are ever happy for you to live as you are they will be disappointed when they see the way the Lord has blessed you many a times in spite of your disability. Do not allow them to deceive you and employ all sorts of tricks to make you remain in your condition.

May I address you children, the Lord has given you some innate ability to provide for your own needs.  It is only the Lord who spoke very clearly about what He wanted for the man – to be healed both of his infirmities and his sins.  

May I address you who think that you are well this is exactly what the Pharisees thought, for they said, "Are we also blind?" (9:40). They did not see the need for a Saviour and this is the condition many people see themselves… would you be like that?

This is what Jesus the Lord of lords and the King of kings, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.” (9:41). If only you would admit your need you would be saved. You may scoff at me now but a time will come when we will all be asked by God what have done with your sins? If you will not have added them to Jesus Christ it will be unbearable for you to pay for it and so you will spend all your destiny in eternity under the wrath of God because God will not stay with anyone unrighteous. His righteousness is only obtained from His Son Jesus Christ. Please take all your sins to Him today and He will exchange it for you with HIS righteousness.

This is the assurance, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. (Heb 7:25-26)

Such a Saviour is for you all if you would believe in him. Please believe and have life because he is the only solution for you. Go home calling upon His Name and tell Him to be merciful to you. He has told you to come to Him and He will give you rest… May plead with you Come to Him and heed Him.