WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:01.439 In the name of Jesus. 00:00:02.560 --> 00:00:08.640 Today's sermon comes from the alternate text for Palm Sunday. 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:15.599 The Gospel of John, according to the 11th, I'm sorry, to the 12th chapter. 00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:22.160 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 00:00:22.399 --> 00:00:30.879 So they came to Philip, who was from Beth Seda in Galilee, and asked him, Sir, we wish to see Jesus. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:36.159 Philip went and told Andrew, Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:41.439 And Jesus answered them, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 00:00:41.759 --> 00:00:49.039 Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. 00:00:49.520 --> 00:00:54.159 But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 00:00:54.399 --> 00:00:57.119 Whoever loves his life loses it. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:02.159 Whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:09.359 If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. 00:01:09.680 --> 00:01:13.760 If anyone serves me, the Father will honor me, honor him. 00:01:14.959 --> 00:01:20.319 Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say, Father, save me from this hour? 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:23.120 But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:25.920 Father, glorify your name. 00:01:26.159 --> 00:01:32.640 Then a voice came from heaven, I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again. 00:01:32.959 --> 00:01:37.280 The crowd that stood there and heard it said, It had thundered. 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:40.319 Others said, An angel has spoken to him. 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:45.040 Jesus answered, This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 00:01:45.599 --> 00:01:47.760 Now is the judgment of this world. 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:57.120 Now will the ruler of this world be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:02.319 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:08.080 So the crowd answered him, We have heard that from the law that the Christ remains forever. 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:11.599 How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:13.919 Who is this Son of Man? 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:19.360 So Jesus said to them, The light is among you for a little while longer. 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:23.439 Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:27.280 The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:34.080 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:39.680 When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:49.120 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. 00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:52.240 Lord, who has believed what he heard from us? 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:56.080 And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:58.240 Therefore they could not believe. 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:08.719 For again Isaiah said, He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them. 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:13.120 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:25.199 Nevertheless, many of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be thrown out of the synagogue. 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:32.159 For they love the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:35.439 This is the gospel of our Lord. 00:03:38.719 --> 00:03:39.599 Thank you. 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:47.360 So let us see Jesus as he shows himself to us. 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:56.879 Today, our Savior rides in on a colt of a donkey. 00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:04.960 And what do we expect to see but great wonders and signs in heaven and on earth? 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:07.039 And yet the glory of God in St. 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:13.759 John's Gospel is always found in the cross of Christ. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:17.519 Read St. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:25.680 John's Gospel, and we find that God's glory is demonstrated in weakness instead of strength. 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:31.120 It's demonstrated in suffering instead of ease and comfort. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:34.879 It's demonstrated in humility instead of pride. 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:42.240 It's demonstrated by riding in humbly on a donkey instead of regally on a steed. 00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:49.439 And one must die for there to be life and abundance. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:59.279 Ah, the motivations of the heart of man compared to the motivations of the heart of God. 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:03.920 Just look at how we act in our lives. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:09.040 We glory in who we associate with and who we know. 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:12.319 We glory in our own might and strength. 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:15.360 We glory in self-sufficiency. 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:19.040 We glory in the American way and pride. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:24.560 It's just as true for us as it is for the Pharisees. 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:31.600 We love the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:36.160 Who here desires weakness? 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:37.920 Just raise your hand. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:42.079 Who here desires suffering? 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:50.720 Who here desires to take up the crosses given to them and not the ones you want to choose and follow Jesus? 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.959 The honest answer is none of us. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:00.560 We glory in hardiness and power. 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:04.319 We glory in pride with our chest sticking out to here. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:12.000 We glory in what we can accomplish and where we will go and what we will do with our lives. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:20.240 And then maybe, maybe, if we think of it, we'll give glory to God for his daily work in our lives. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:29.600 And by this we fail to see how Christ is glorified most clearly. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:36.160 And that is in crossbearing, in suffering, and finally in death. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:41.519 But we don't want that kind of glory now, do we? 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:51.360 Dear beloved baptized children of God, are you not bound to Christ? 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:58.240 Did you not have his name poured over your heads, dripping with water, each and every one of you? 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:08.160 Were you not all rescued from sin, death, and eternal damnation by the name that is above all other names? 00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:19.120 So then, how else are we to be recognized if we are called sons of the Most High, sons of light? 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:31.600 It's not by the blessings of money or house or spouse, even evildoers who hate God have those material blessings. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:35.199 None of those look like Jesus. 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:46.639 Are we not recognized by the sufferings in this life and how our Lord and Savior sustains you through them? 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:57.360 God took what seems foolish to the entire world and uses it to shame the wise. 00:07:57.600 --> 00:07:59.199 Don't let it shame you. 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:07.759 How wonderful and devastating it is for us when the Lord exposes our hearts. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:12.399 Christ will be glorified. 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:20.319 But take note how we as Christians see Jesus. 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:23.279 It will affect how we see ourselves. 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:48.240 If we're willing to see that the glory of God is demonstrated most clearly in humility and suffering, then we are willing to finally meditate on what our Lord is preparing to do for us, for everyone, for the whole world this holy week as he rides into Jerusalem. 00:08:50.960 --> 00:09:09.679 But if we believe that God shows his greatest might by defeating great cities with fire and brimstone, or in a great earthquake, or that his power in victory over one nation over another, well then we'll never understand when the Lord tells St. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:16.159 Paul as he wrestling with his own suffering in life, my grace is sufficient for you. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:21.440 For my power is made perfect in weakness. 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:30.000 How we see Jesus will affect how we see ourselves. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:52.960 If we want to see Jesus as the great victor over sin and death, then we must see him as the great victim, the Lamb of God, which allowed himself to be humbled into the form of a man, not counting himself equal to God as he should have. 00:09:54.559 --> 00:10:10.720 But to be stripped of all his dignity and his honor, and to be beaten and flogged and stabbed and wounded and suffer the rejection of the Father while hanging on the cross to die in our place. 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:23.679 Christ on the cross is the source of our salvation because there is no other payment for sin except death. 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:35.919 And if you're concerned about glorifying the resurrection, then take a moment to realize there can be no resurrection without the crucifixion. 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:42.559 The sign of an empty cross is not the depiction of Christ risen from the dead. 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:48.720 Every Jew had to be taken down from the cross the very same day. 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:55.919 Every cross of every criminal in Jerusalem was empty the same day. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:04.320 If you want a symbol for the resurrection, look to the empty tomb. 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:15.039 If you want to see what it looks like when Christ conquers death, well look to the linen claws that lie empty in the tomb. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:26.639 But dearly beloved, if you want to see the source of your salvation, look to where Christ died for you. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:30.720 Weighted down with the sins of the world. 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:36.799 Only his shoulders were capable of carrying the weight that led to death. 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:38.879 Only Jesus. 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:43.919 That's what the glory of God looks like. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:12:07.519 If we want to see Jesus as the Greeks did when they came to Jerusalem for the Passover, then we must see Jesus as he gives himself to be seen, humble and lowly, riding into the place of his conviction and sentencing on the colt of a donkey for you and for me. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:24.320 If you want to see the eyes of faith to see Jesus, well then you mustn't be blinded by the glory of man, but see that the glory of God is found just as Jesus says. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:33.200 Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:37.440 But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:43.840 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:45.200 John 12. 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:50.240 And this is what it means to be Christ-like. 00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:54.480 This is what it means to be baptized into Christ. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:13:00.399 If we share in a death like his, we most certainly will share in a resurrection like his. 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:08.080 But don't take your eyes off of where Christ atones for your sins. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:15.279 For when you do, you will only see Jesus how you want to see him and not how he shows himself to us. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:22.080 Nor will you understand how his power is made perfect in weakness. 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:28.879 So then let us see Jesus as he shows himself to us. 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:34.399 For how we see Jesus will affect how we see ourselves. 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:39.600 Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:42.480 Father, save me from this hour. 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:45.360 But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:47.919 Father, glorify your name. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:53.840 And then a voice came from heaven, I have glorified it, I will glorify it again. 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:58.159 And the crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. 00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:01.360 Others said, An angel has spoken to him. 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:06.240 Jesus answered, This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:09.679 Now is the judgment of this world. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.799 Now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:19.600 And when I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:30.320 And there's no other place where Christ was lifted up from the earth than on the cross of his crucifixion. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:35.440 That is where he drew you to himself. 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:40.320 That's because he paid for all of your sins right there. 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:52.720 Look to where Christ was lifted up on the cross, lifted up from the earth, and you will know, you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt, your sins are forgiven you. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:58.000 All of them in Christ Jesus. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:04.799 And then look to where he shows himself to you this very day. 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:10.960 In water and word and body and blood, the forgiveness of sins for all of you. 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:20.480 Let us see our Lord Jesus Christ as he shows himself to us. 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:23.200 In the name of Jesus. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.159 Amen.