Studies in John's Gospel. Pt. 63 The Hour of Christ's Glory Comes at His Death!

Good morning and we welcome each one of you back to our study of the wonderful Word of God together. 

Jesus seeks the "other sheep"

John 12:20-22  And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21) The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22)  Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 

It is very significant that John mentions certain Greeks who came to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover. Greeks were known as wanderers in the ancient world and as seekers of truth. These particular Greeks probably were "God-fearers" who attended a local synagogue and Jewish feasts. They are mentioned because of what Jesus previously said about gathering sheep who were not from the Jewish fold (See for examples John 10:16; Acts 10; Acts 13:50; 17:4; 17:17).

Why is this so noteworthy? Because scripture was being fulfilled where prophets foretold that God would also save Gentiles (Non Jewish) in addition to Israel. Probably a good percentage of our Readers would fall into the Gentile category so this is great news (Ephesians 3:1-6). 

"Sir, we would see Jesus" should be the plea of each person attending a church. This statement from those Greek men highlights what should be the primary goal of every Pastor, Teacher and Evangelist: to take the scriptures and help all people see Jesus. 

There were multitudes of people packed in around Jesus, wanting to see and hear Him. I see that this text also shows us that the disciples probably had some form of screening for those who sought access to Christ. 

Jesus answered the Greeks.

John 12:23-26  And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25)  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26)  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. 

When the Greeks came and said "Sir, we would see Jesus" our Lord gave an intriguing reply. Jesus said that the hour had now come for Him to be glorified. Think back to all those places when the Jews sought to arrest or stone Jesus but they could not because His hour had not yet come. (See John 2:4; 7:6; 7:8; 7:30 & 8:20).

Jesus reply to the Greek men seeking to speak with Him was that His hour had now come, and He would be glorified. Jesus spoke of His impending death on the cross as the glorifying event for the Son of God. Jesus was willing to die on the cross as our sin bearer and to enter into glory with the Father. All the many prophetic threads concerning God's plan of redemption come together in Christ, the cross and His resurrection. 

The cross is the centerpiece of redemption. 

The cross death of Christ is the true focal point of all human history. All things (Law, prophecies, Psalms) that preceded the cross were looking forward to it, anticipating the Messiah's vicarious suffering. All things (Church, Gospel, New Testament scriptures) that come after the cross look back to it as the place where the Devil was dealt a death blow and where sin was fully paid for as the enmity between God and man was removed. 

Jesus said "verily, verily" 25 times in John's gospel. Each time Jesus used the words He told His hearers that they really needed to understand what He was going to say because it was vitally important. 

A dead seed brings forth living wheat.

In this case, Jesus was speaking about His death. The word translated "corn" means seed. The seed that fell into the ground and died is a picture of His death and burial but Jesus did not stop there. When a seed of wheat falls into the ground as dead, sun and rain are applied then the seed comes to life and brings forth much fruit. This is how Jesus pictured His death, burial and resurrection. Death gave way to life and Jesus death makes eternal life available to all who believe on Him. 

All people then and now can understand this agricultural picture. His death burial and resurrection is the glory moment for Christ. He pleased the Father in all things as an obedient  Son. He satisfied all demands of God's righteous law. He was sinless, blameless and pure. Jesus was the Lamb of God without spot or blemish. 

Jesus gave two tests for true believers.

First, a true believer will hate his life in this world and gain eternal life with Christ in heaven. This means that we are so preoccupied with Christ our first love, that we are no longer self centered and seeking our own agenda. Rather we are seeking to please our Savior and honor Him with our lives. However, the man who loves his life here on earth will lose it. This is the idea of "love not the world nor the things of the world" and friendship with the world is enmity with God" (1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4). Many  Christians live like the world and pursue the same things the culture is grasping after instead of following hard after Christ. 

The second test of a true believer involves being a servant of Christ. A servant must first learn to follow Jesus. This is the idea of cultivating a living, dynamic and growing relationship between the born again believer and the Lord Jesus Christ. As that relationship grows and matures then we are equipped to serve our Master. Honor from the Father in heaven awaits all who serve Jesus with sincere hearts. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

The Greeks request "Sir, we would see Jesus" is very profound. How will people see Jesus today? They will see Christ in us by how we live. Are we seeking to be the salt and light that Jesus said to be? Submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ radically changes our lives in such a way that the people around us will notice the difference. It is seeing Jesus in us that attracts people to the point that we can share the gospel so that they can truly see Jesus as He is revealed in the Word of God.

The two tests of a believer are things we must reflect upon. Are we living for self, trying to get ahead and seeking to find satisfaction in wealth, possession, education or status just like the world craves? Or, are we denying world lusts and focusing on Jesus Christ? 

Are we serving self or serving our Lord? Jesus bought us with His blood and we owe Him our very life. We must follow after Jesus and grow in our relationship with Him before we can serve Him in the power of the gospel.

I pray that the Lord of glory will help us rejoice in the power of the cross of Christ. I ask that He convict us if we are living for the world or failing to follow and serve Him. I want Him to use each of us to reach lost people for His kingdom. Lord, help us to plant the seed of your word into the soil of human hearts and we trust you for the increase.

Bob