Why Jesus Calls Us to Come and Die | John 12:12-26
Sermon Summary
As Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey for the Passover feast, a large crowd of Jews welcomed Him with shouts of victory. The disciples and crowds thought Jesus was arriving as a king to overthrow Rome, but He was entering Jerusalem as the Lamb who would take away the sins of the world.
When a group of Greeks comes seeking Jesus, He teaches that truly seeing Him requires dying to the life they cling to, in exchange for the life He offers.
One Big Idea
God reveals His glory to us when we die to ourselves and fully surrender the direction of our lives and affections of our hearts to Jesus.
Key Scriptures:
John 12:24-25 (NASB): “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.”
Matthew 16:24-26 (NASB): “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?’”
Galatians 2:20 (NASB): “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Truths to focus on this week:
Jesus invites us to come and die: Jesus offers us fullness of life as we lay down our plans and desires and receive His plans in their place.
Following Jesus requires us to surrender: Being a disciple of Jesus means daily self-denial, humble sacrificial service to others, and a life set apart in holiness as we become more like Him.
Pride blinds us from seeing and hearing Jesus: In times of prosperity, it is easy to lose sight of what God wants us to do next. Pride must be put to death so we can see and hear Him clearly again.
Discussion Questions
The pull of the world is toward self-preservation and following our own desires. Where do you personally find it hardest to surrender control or lay down your desires before God?
Where do you notice yourself leaning more on your own strength or understanding instead of depending on God? What do you think makes that area easier to rely on yourself?
The glory of God is seen as we die to self and allow Jesus to live through us, yet distractions often keep us from experiencing Him personally. When you think about your mornings, what tends to pull your heart away from being with Jesus? How is Jesus inviting you to respond to Him relationally in those specific areas?