“A Journey with John” Day 22: But if it dies… (John 12: 20-50)
Last time, we found Jesus back at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. There, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with perfumed oil, and wiped His feet with her hair. After this, we saw the grand entrance of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. As He rode in on a donkey‘s colt, the people shouted out praises and adulation to the “King of Israel.” As we’ve come to expect, this enraged the religious leaders who now are determined to end Jesus.
Before heading out on today’s adventure with our guide, let’s see the new people to whom we were introduced last time:
>Judas – we already know who Judas is, but last time, we found out something else about him: Not only will he betray Jesus, he is also a thief
Let’s now catch up with our guide. He’s going to take us to see what happened right after Jesus’ grand entrance into Jerusalem!
When we enter back into the scene, we see that some Greeks have come to take part in the feast. We see that they go to Philip to ask if they can see Jesus. Philip goes and tells their request to Andrew, then Philip and Andrew both go to tell Jesus. But instead of commenting on what they’ve said about the Greeks, Jesus says that His time has come, that He must be glorified. Jesus then begins to talk about a grain of wheat and how if it doesn’t die (or give up its current form), it will remain only one grain. But if it dies (if it gives up its form), then out of that one grain will come much more grain. Then Jesus begins talking about that a person who will lose their life here will have eternal life. But those who want to hang on to this life, will end up losing it. They won’t have eternal life. Then Jesus says that those who follow after Him will get to be with Him, where He is. Jesus then begins talking about how troubled He is, but that He is not trying to get out of what He has come to do. Then Jesus asks His Father to glorify Himself through Him. At this, we hear a voice speak from heaven, saying, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” Some of the people standing around say that they heard it thunder; others say that they heard the voice of an angel. Jesus then clarifies that the voice was not for Him, but for those who would hear it. Jesus then begins talking about the fact that the judgment of the world is coming and that its ruler will be cast out. He also says that if He is lifted up, He will draw all people to Himself. The people listening to this, seem to understand that He is talking about His death and don’t understand how if He is Who He says He is, why He will not live forever. Jesus doesn’t answer this, but warns that people should walk in the light, while they have the light, because when it’s dark, they won’t be able to see the way to go. When Jesus finishes talking about this, He hides away. Our guide tells us that even though Jesus did many signs, many people did not believe Him, and that this unbelief had also fulfilled prophecy. He said that Isaiah had spoken about these things when he saw Jesus and His glory. Our guide also tells us that many of the rulers actually did believe in Him, but wouldn’t say anything about it, because they didn’t want to be put out of the synagogue. Our guide then again reminds us that Jesus did not speak on His own authority, but spoke what the Father had given Him to speak.
Our highlighted verses for today:
“Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him. Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;”
John 12:20-28, 31-32, 35, 37, 41-42 NKJV
Question for reflection:
Why does John often reference things that happened to Jesus as being a fulfillment of prophecy?
It seems that next time we’ll be going to a very important supper with Jesus and the disciples.