By David L. Larsen
II. The Centrality of Christ’s Atonement (12:23-31)
Though hardly the politic approach, Jesus begins to talk to the
Greeks about his impending death which he sees as his glorification
(John 17:1). Jesus will not be simply a celebrity because his Father
is glorified only when he is humanity’s Savior. He has come to
perform and complete the work his Father has given him — and this
entails his laying down his life. Only then can there be much fruit
(24). To seek to follow Jesus without self-sacrifice and death to
self is flagrantly futile (Matthew 16:24). Christian discipleship is
based on his dying for us and this becomes an invitation to die with
him and be raised with him (Romans 6:fff). Christ did not
seek to avoid the cross (“he was slain from the creation of the
world” in Revelation 13:8). Notice he was unswerving in his
determination to “bear our sins in his body on the tree” (1 Peter
2:24). He did not cower or question his upcoming death [what bearing
does this have on his prayer regarding the removal of the cup in
Gethsemane — cf Hebrews 5:7. Was the cup a premature death in the
garden?). He resolutely prays that the Father will be glorified in
the imminent judgment of the world and defeat of Satan. How critical
and how pivotal these moments are as our Lord advances to the brow of
Calvary.
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The Drawing Power of the Cross of Christ (12:32-33)
It is not those who come to Jesus with admiration and adulation who are
saved, but those who come acknowledging their sin and appropriating
by faith full pardon and forgiveness through his precious blood. Both
Hudson Taylor and Charles Simeon came to Christ while pondering the
transference of guilt to the innocent victim in Old Testament
sacrifice.George Bennard wrote about “the old rugged cross so
despised by the world” and its “wondrous attraction” for him. “When I
am lifted up . . . I will draw all men to myself” (32). In
downtown Chicago, perched high on top of the Chicago Temple Building is
a cross. One day a crowd gathered on the street looking up toward the
cross where some men were working. “What is happening?” was an
inquiry. Someone replied: “Something is wrong with the cross.”
Another said: “The cross isn’t working.” Friends: “That precious
blood will never lose its power” as William Cowper insisted. The
cross of Christ is still working. It is still the power and wisdom of
God. Do you feel the drawing power of the Savior’s dying love?
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Sermon brief provided by: David L.
Larsen, Professor Emeritus of Preaching, Trinity Evangelical Divinity
School