A Better Plan (John 12:12-27)
Gary McManus, 03/24/2013Part of the DCC Basics series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
March 24, 2013 John 12:12-27 (p. 1065)
Palm Sunday; we know what that is.
Why are there crowds present welcoming
and following Jesus? “Blessed is the king of Israel!”
The CROWDS decided that this man, Jesus,
could be king.
But there was a problem.
What the people were thinking did not line up
with God’s plan. (John 18:36)
Jesus didn’t have legions of armies,
. . .Jesus had legions of angels.
Jesus was going to give people life,
. . . but not so they could beat the Romans.
Jesus was going to lead the people,
. . .but Jesus was not going to lead a rebellion.
Remember, Jesus led a secret life.
No one else knew all that but Jesus.
Even though Jesus TOLD them what was going
to happen in Jerusalem, no one, apparently, believed
Jesus. Peter plain rejected the plan (Matthew 16:23)
It was the heavenly Father’s plan.
The crowd had their own plan in mind.
Even though Jesus had told them the kingdom
was in their midst, many people were ready
to fight to bring the kingdom to reality.
The lesson is for us.
The promises of God are not
for us to get what WE want,
The promises are for God to get what God wants.
Think of any Christmas list
you have ever composed. Did it ever include:
--I want to be able to love others MORE.
--I want to be more effective in demonstrating
God’s love to others.
--I want others to know the great love that I know
God has for me and for them?
How will this happen? (vss 23-26) Sacrifice.
Jesus led a secret life. But Jesus’ secret is out.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection,
Peter understood.
Peter gets it now. The Disciples get it now.
(1 Peter 3:18 ff) Do you get it?
This is God’s plan.
God’s plan is Jesus Christ, crucified.
That means that you and I get new lives.
And these new lives we lead are better than
any life we ever planned for ourselves.
The plan of God = the Word of God;
it included the Christ,
his death and then his resurrection.
That’s Easter—next week. Amen.
Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
---|---|---|
« Jesus Saves 2 | None | There were three crosses » |