When you look at the life and teaching of Jesus you begin to get a feel for what you might call upside-down glory. So much of what brings him glory feels up-side down, when you compare it to our society.
But when you think that he himself is utterly glorious in every aspect, you begin to wonder if, maybe, he’s the right way up and it’s the world that’s chasing upside-down glory.
Does it matter? Yes, very much! Because your eternal life is in the balance. Don’t mess this up.
These notes accompany a sermon on YouTube delivered at Bromborough Evangelical Church in January 2026. You can find more in the series in our sermon index.
See the glory of God (20-36)
The gospel of John is very much in two parts:
- Part 1, chapters 1-12 is sometimes called the Book of Signs – with miracles (signs) that point you forwards to the glory of Christ. The signs point to Jesus’ deity, how he’s been sent by the Father and does and says as the Father does. It culminates in Ch 11 with the raising of Lazarus.
- Part 2, chapters 12-21 is sometimes called the Book of Glory.
- Chapter 12 is the turning point, where you see how Jesus’ signs point to his glory. His ‘upside-down’ glory as some would see it.
Here in Chapter 12 he’s in Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Several times in the book we read that “his hour had not yet come”. But now read John 12:20-23. Jesus’ fame has reached beyond Judea, and some foreign Greeks now want to see him. That seems to be the trigger: His hour has come.
What hour? He immediately begins to speak of death: Read John 12:24. Can Jesus reach Greece and the whole world? Yes, but through death and new life (like a seed). A human view would see expansionism, colonialism, empires and growth of reign and rule. Not death.
But Jesus knew that his glory was in his cross, and he calls you to follow him to glory: Read John 12:26. So your view of glory must be the same way up as his.
Martin Luther used to describe “theologians of the cross” and “theologians of glory”
- A theologian of the cross is someone who understands that the way to serve Christ in union with him is to go the way of the cross, of service.
- But theologians of glory want prestige, glamour, robes, status and honour. The opposite of Christ. Jesus calls you to follow him, to serve him humbly. Down. We’ll think more on that in Chapter 13.
Maturity is a hard, downward path
Some Christians think that growing in maturity in the faith means others should honour them more. “I’ve been a member here for over thirty years” – as if they have earned rights.
But real maturity thinks less about yourself and more about others: Their welfare, their soul. It’s more helpful to forget your rights; do what’s right.
But there’s no suggesting it’s an easy path to follow Jesus. Even Jesus struggled: Read John 12:27.
John’s gospel doesn’t describe Jesus in Gethsemane, but this moment is equivalent. Knowing the agony ahead, he could say, “Now my heart is troubled.” Of course it was. His response was similar to when he prayed, “Your will be done” in the garden: Read John 12:28 a.
Now, the Father’s voice is only heard three times in the gospels: Once at Jesus’ baptism, once at the Mt of Transfiguration, and again here. It’s hugely significant. Read John 12:28 b.
How has the Father glorified his name?
- In the signs that Jesus performed, remembering that Jesus always gave glory to God in his works and teaching.
- And in those believers who committed to following Jesus.
How will the Father glorify his name again?
- At the impending events of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- And again at Jesus’ ascension and establishing his church.
What was it like for those nearby to hear the Father’s voice? Read John 12:29-30.
Now is the hour
How was the answer for heaven for their benefit if they thought it was thunder?
- Firstly, Jesus already knew that the Father had glorified his name and would do so again. This was for them to hear.
- Secondly, that voice from heaven at the start and end of Jesus’ ministry would be a comforting reminder for Jesus’ believers trying to come to terms with his death – and then making sense of his resurrection!
- Thirdly, and most of all, this voice from heaven marks “the hour” as a spectacular turning point in history: We’re moving rapidly towards the cross of Christ.
So “now” is the hour; twice he uses the word “now” in John 12:31
- “Now is the judgment of this world.” The cross of Christ screams out to the whole world, “Look how sinful you are! You’re all guilty before God! You can’t save yourselves, and it takes God himself in human flesh to die to atone for your sin.”
- “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” Satan, the accuser of sin will be cast out. How? By Christ being the perfect sacrifice to atone for sin, and also being the High Priest in heaven itself to Advocate for his own people. Forever.
- That’s Jesus’ hour. It’s accomplished in death. Glorious.
Jesus was under no illusion about his death. Read John 12:32-33. What does he mean about drawing all people to himself? Certainly, not all unbelievers. That’s clear. But people from across the world, certainly. This is the reply to those Greeks who wanted to see him!
Jesus will gather people from all over the world without distinction, but he won’t gather everyone without exception.
The glory of Christ
Make no mistake: The cross is Jesus’ glory on display. But people don’t get it. Read John 12:34. They’re right that some Old Testament references do teach that the Messiah’s reign will be eternal. But they had no understanding of the seed that must die first (stricken by God). Nor did they understand the true nature of the glory of God in all his compassion and tender care.
But Jesus doesn’t write these people off in their confusion. He’s gentle and kind, and so his answer is to prepare them for his death: Read John 12:35.
His death will come; darkness is coming. So he invites them into his light, to know him now, so that darkness won’t overcome them. And his invitation to them still stands to you: Read John 12:36.
He invited them, and he invites you right now (because he lives, and I’m just passing on his invitation). Become a child of light. Believe in Jesus, the light of the world.
But then he did something surprising: He hid from them.
Darkness is separation from Jesus
If he is light, then if he’s hidden you’re in darkness.
Let’s try a thought experiment: Take an idea; see where it goes:
- Imagine that Jesus had not come into the world.
- If there’s no Jesus, you have no saviour.
- God remains holy; you remain a sinner. But hopeless.
- With no hope of atoning for your sins, you’re doomed.
- There can be only darkness now, and then darkness forever.
So, “While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may become children of light.”
Jesus’ glory is in the cross because it shows the holiness of God; the need for atonement, and the wisdom and grace of God in providing himself as atonement for you. He is glorified in stooping to save.
Why don’t people see it? (37-43)
Maybe you don’t really understand the cross. Maybe you do, but people you speak to don’t.
Why don’t some people see it? Read John 12:37.
You might think that you would find it easy to believe if you were actually there, seeing Jesus do miracles. But lots of people who were there didn’t believe. But unbelief was expected, prophesied by God.
Read John 12:38. That’s a quote from the great Servant Song of Isaiah 52-53 where Jesus is “despised and rejected by men” and yet “he will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.”
Jesus is God’s great Suffering Servant, so not believed by many and yet also glorified, lifted up, and exalted among the nations.
Why is he rejected?
- He’s such an unlikely, unlovely Messiah – “He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). Who’d vote for him as President?
- And he’s still rejected because of his upside-down glory – who wants to follow him the way of the cross?
- More still, there’s the allure of sin. You sin because you want to. You want to sin more than you want Jesus.
- And of course, there’s always pride. Who wants to think of themselves as a helpless sinner in need of salvation from such an unlikely Saviour?
So unbelief isn’t a surprise. It actually fulfils Scripture.
Hard-hearted unbelief confirmed
But John goes further: Read John 12:39-41.
It’s a quote from Isaiah 6. Isaiah says he saw the glory of the LORD; John says that was the glory of Jesus. So Jesus’ glory is seen:
- In his deity – he is God the Son.
- In his very being, his essence, apart from any works.
- And in atonement for Isaiah’s sins.
But Isaiah was given a message to take to sinful Israel. It would be a message of judgment because the people were already so sinful and hard-hearted. So the message confirmed them in their separation from God.
And now, just as then, there will be rejection when you speak about God. Much of it will be permanent. Eternal, even.
So why evangelise? Because, in grace, the Lord will still save some.
Bonsai believers
Even so, read John 12:42-43. Some people believe that the stuff about Jesus is true, but they won’t follow him. They prefer human praise. I’ve even known people come to actual faith in Christ, but not speak up to anyone, as if it’s a secret.
I read a book recently which had a Gryphon in it, under a magic spell from an evil sorcerer. The gryphon should be a majestic creature: The body of a lion, with the wings and head of a great eagle. But this gryphon was bound by magic cords, restricted in size, held small and limited. Until the sorcerer was killed.
Jesus has defeated Satan himself, and there are no bounds tying you to sin other than your own pride and love of self. If you are a believer in Christ, step forward and say so. Don’t be a bonsai believer. Flourish in Christ.
Believe and be baptised. In fact:
Believe and live forever (44-50)
In his last public words before the Last Supper, Jesus again spoke invitation: Read John 12:44-45.
To come to Jesus, to believe in him, to see him, to pray to him – is to pray to God. He is the Son, and the Son and the Father are (with the Holy Spirit) one God.
Society has all sorts of ideas about God. That there is no God, or that there is a God and we’re all on different roads to him.
But that’s not what God himself teaches. And God wants you to know him: Read John 12:46-47.
Come to the light; come to Jesus now before it’s too late. Believe in him before the hardness of your heart becomes so fixed that God’s patience runs out and your choice is confirmed.
If you don’t – if you choose to reject faith in Christ – then even the words of this sermon will be evidence against you on the last day, when you face him as judge: Read John 12:48.
But Jesus’ words are eternal life: Read John 12:49-50.
So what will it be?
- Man-made glory? Exalted self for a short time, and an eternity of darkness?
- Or the glory of the cross? The way of the seed – down, before up.
The cross is the glory of God on display in Christ. It looks upside-down and unacceptable to many, which you’ll soon realise when you point people to Jesus for life and hope.
But for all who will come, Jesus’ words are eternal life. So believe in him; follow him.
And he will lead you to be with him in his glory forever.