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In John 12:34–50, Jesus calls His followers to a new identity: sons of light. But what does this mean, and how do we walk in this identity today? Jesus tells His listeners, “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you” (John 12:35). This is a sobering reminder that the invitation to believe is not indefinite. Like a limited-time offer, the light of the gospel calls for a response now. Spiritual darkness isn't just ignorance—it's a chosen blindness, a love for sin over truth, and if continually rejected, it becomes judicial and even eternal. There are four types of darkness described in Scripture:
Yet salvation is not the end; it’s the beginning. We are transformed by the light. As Romans 12:2 reminds us, transformation happens as our minds are renewed by God’s Word. Walking in the light means aligning our attitudes and actions with Jesus. As sons of light, we are also called to help open the eyes of others. Spiritual blindness is real, both for unbelievers and sometimes even for believers. Like a spiritual cataract, sin clouds our vision. But the gospel removes the veil and restores our sight (2 Corinthians 3:16). Lastly, we must operate with the light—God’s Word is both a lamp to expose what’s in our lives and a light to direct our path (Psalm 119:105). Jesus came not to judge, but to save. And in walking with Him, we walk in truth, purpose, and clarity. So let us walk while we have the light. Let us believe in the light. And let us live as sons of light, shining His truth into a dark world. “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” — John 12:46
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Summary of the message Sunday, March 30, 2025 by Mike Fleming In John 12:20-33, we find a profound moment in Jesus' journey as He approaches His crucifixion. This passage reveals the depth of His mission and the cost of following Him. Jesus uses the metaphor of a grain of wheat falling to the ground and dying to illustrate the necessity of His sacrifice. Just as a seed must die to produce a harvest, Jesus' death would bring forth a multitude of believers. This is a call to understand that true life is found in surrendering our own desires and following Him, even when it leads to difficult paths. Jesus' mission was not just for the Jews but also for the Gentiles, fulfilling the prophecy that He would be a light to all nations. His death and resurrection opened the door for all people to come to God through faith, not through adherence to the law. This is a reminder that salvation is available to everyone who believes, not just a select few. However, this does not imply universal salvation; rather, it emphasizes the necessity of faith and repentance. The cost of following Jesus is significant. It requires a willingness to forsake our own lives and ambitions for the sake of His kingdom. This doesn't mean abandoning responsibilities but aligning our goals with His will. Jesus' followers are called to serve Him, and in doing so, they will be honored by the Father. This honor is eternal and far surpasses any recognition we might receive in this world. Jesus' focus was always on glorifying the Father's name, even in the face of suffering. This is a powerful lesson for us to shift our focus from our own struggles to how God can be glorified through them. In moments of trial, we are encouraged to trust that God will provide the strength to endure and that our trials can serve a greater purpose. Finally, Jesus' first coming was as a suffering servant, a concept that was difficult for many to accept. His crucifixion was necessary for the redemption of humanity, and it is through His sacrifice that we have the hope of eternal life. As we reflect on His journey to the cross, we are reminded of the depth of His love and the call to share this message with the world. Key Takeaways: Links with timestamps at the end of each point goes to that point in the message on YouTube.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the city was alive with expectation. The great crowd that had gathered for the Passover feast took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!” (John 12:13). This was a moment of celebration, but beneath the surface lay a deeper, eternal significance. I. A Hail to the King At Passover, Jerusalem was filled with people—historian Josephus estimated that millions may have been present. Among them were key groups: Jesus’ disciples, local Jews, those who had witnessed Lazarus’ resurrection, Jews from outside Jerusalem, Greeks, religious leaders, and even Roman officials. Each one observed this extraordinary event, but not all truly understood its meaning. A. The Palms for the Savior Palm branches were a symbol of victory. In Jewish tradition, waving palms was a declaration of triumph. The crowd treated Jesus as a victorious king returning from battle. This imagery is echoed in Revelation 7:9, where a great multitude stands before the throne, clothed in white, holding palm branches in their hands, praising God for salvation. B. The Plea to Save The people cried, “Hosanna!”—a plea for immediate salvation. They wanted deliverance from Roman oppression, yet Jesus came not to conquer Rome but to conquer sin. Their expectation was political; His mission was spiritual. Today, we continue to praise Him for the salvation He brings, knowing that our ultimate victory is in Him. II. The Humbleness of the KingJohn 12:14-15 tells us that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a young donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy: “Behold, your king is coming…lowly and riding on a donkey.” Unlike earthly kings who enter with displays of power, Jesus came in humility, offering peace. A. The Perfect Timing of His Ride Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was not random. Daniel 9:24-27 prophesied that from the command to rebuild Jerusalem until the arrival of the Messiah, 483 prophetic years would pass—ending precisely on the day of Jesus’ triumphal entry in 32 A.D. His timing was divine, demonstrating God’s sovereign plan for redemption B. The Plan of Redemption At the time, even His disciples did not fully grasp the significance of these events. John 12:16 says they only understood later, after Jesus was glorified. Like them, we often fail to see God’s purposes in the moment, but hindsight reveals His perfect plan. Jesus entered Jerusalem to fulfill prophecy, to suffer, and to rise again—offering salvation to all who believe. III. The Hate for the King A. The Marveling Crowd Many had witnessed Jesus’ miracles, especially the raising of Lazarus, and eagerly proclaimed His power. They were testifying to what they had seen and experienced. As believers, we are called to do the same—simply sharing what we know about Jesus and the transformation He has brought into our lives. B. The Malicious Crowd However, not all rejoiced. The religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat. Their hearts, hardened by pride, refused to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. The same resistance exists today—many reject Christ, not for lack of evidence, but because of unwillingness to submit to Him. ConclusionAre we like those who hailed Jesus as King with temporary excitement, only to turn away when expectations weren’t met? Or are we truly surrendered to Him as Lord and Savior?
A humble missionary in China once described herself as “the Lord’s donkey”—simply carrying Christ wherever she went. This mindset is key for all believers. We are not the object of praise; Jesus is. Like the donkey who bore Jesus into Jerusalem, our greatest purpose is to lift Him high. Without Jesus, we are nothing. With Him, we carry the King of Glory into a world that desperately needs Him. Will you be His faithful witness today? The raising of Lazarus should have been the undeniable proof of Jesus’ power. He had just demonstrated His dominion over death, showing that He was indeed the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Yet instead of leading to universal belief, this miracle sealed Jesus’ fate. John 11:53 says, “Then from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.” The religious leaders feared that if Jesus continued performing signs, people would believe in Him, and they would lose their power. They were more concerned with their position than with the truth. ronically, the high priest Caiaphas unknowingly prophesied the very purpose of Christ’s mission. “It is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:50). He meant it politically—hoping to prevent conflict with the Romans—but God meant it eternally. Jesus would indeed die for the people, not to preserve their earthly nation, but to save them from sin and gather God’s children into one family (John 11:51-52). This moment reveals a sobering truth: people respond to Jesus in only two ways. Some humble themselves and believe (John 11:45), while others harden their hearts and reject Him (John 11:46). Faith requires trust, not just in the signs, but in Christ Himself. Jesus’ journey to the cross was not an accident or a tragedy—it was God’s plan of redemption unfolding. He is our Passover Lamb, sacrificed for our sins (1 Corinthians 5:7). The question is, how will you respond to the truth? Will you entrust yourself to Jesus, or will you, like the religious leaders, resist Him? The cross was always the plan. The only question is, will you believe?
In John 11:38-45, we witness one of the most powerful miracles in Jesus' ministry—the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This event is not just a demonstration of Christ’s ability to perform miracles, but a profound revelation of His divine authority over life and death. Jesus Has the Power Over DeathWhen Jesus arrives at Lazarus’ tomb, He is deeply moved. Death is a reality of our fallen world, but Christ came to conquer it. He commands the stone to be rolled away, despite Martha’s concern about the stench of her brother’s four-day-old grave. Then, with divine authority, Jesus calls out, “Lazarus, come forth!”—and Lazarus walks out of the tomb, alive! This act is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ ultimate victory over death through His own resurrection. Jesus Removes BarriersBefore performing the miracle, Jesus challenges unbelief. “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). Often, we place barriers between ourselves and God’s power—whether it’s doubt, fear, or past experiences. But Christ calls us to trust Him beyond what we can see. Jesus Demonstrates the Power of PrayerBefore calling Lazarus forth, Jesus prays, thanking the Father for already hearing Him. His prayer is not for His own benefit, but so that those around might believe in Him. This reminds us that prayer is not just about making requests—it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s will and believing in His power. Jesus Gives New LifeWhen Lazarus emerges from the tomb, he is still wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus instructs those around him, “Loose him, and let him go” (John 11:44). This is a picture of salvation. When Christ calls us from spiritual death, we are given new life, but we must also remove the remnants of our old ways. Believe and LiveMany who witnessed this miracle believed in Jesus. The same invitation is extended to us today—do we believe in His power to give us life? The resurrection of Lazarus points to the greater resurrection of Christ, through whom we have eternal life. Jesus not only has power over death, but He offers that victory to all who trust in Him. Will you believe?
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