John 12:21-26 No short-cut to glory

Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honour him.” John 12:21-26

Background

At this point, there would only be a few days and Jesus would be crucified. The Greeks (known as God fearers, Gentiles who believed in God short of being converted to Judaism) came to look for Andrew and Philip. Jesus’ fame continued to grow beyond Jerusalem and Galilee and reaching the Greek cities. More options were opened to Him as He gained regional recognition even among the Gentile believers. However, Jesus knew that His mission on earth must be consummated, for it was time for Him to go to the cross.

Observation

1.  “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Jesus was referring to His death on the cross and His resurrection. An Old Testament prophet, Isaiah prophesied,

See, my servant will prosper;
he will be highly exalted.
But many were amazed when they saw him.
His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human,
and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. Isaiah 52:13-14

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be highly exalted through His resurrection even though He was tormented and disfigured beyond recognition. Hence, it had been God’s plan that this hour of Jesus’ crucifixion must come.

2.  “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.”

Unless the grain forsakes its original form, it cannot metamorphosize or change into a higher form to produce more fruit. Hence, Jesus talked about change; the regeneration of the heart without which there is no eternal life. What change was Jesus talking about?

3.  “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.”

In the above passage, Jesus talked about the change of putting the personal ambition above the call of doing God’s will. Hence, Jesus used the word “hate” in a rhetorical or dramatic way implying one must see personal ambition as being in enmity against the call of God. An ambitious person harbours pride, the desire for popularity, power and pleasures of the flesh. The Greeks’ visitation could mean for Jesus, fame and ministry opportunities beyond Judea and Galilee; an escape from the suffering of the cross. If what we love and cherish in life opposes the holy call of God then it should be hated and forsaken.

What was Jesus referring to when He talked about eternal life? Eternal life is living life to the full, having accomplished God’s will and obtained the glory of God. Jesus was in fact referring to His own resurrection and returning to the Father at His right hand.

4.  “If anyone serves (in) Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves (in) Me, the Father will honour him.”

The original Greek translation include the word “in”. Hence, it should read “If anyone serves in Me” or “if anyone desires to serve like I did.” Then, he must follow Jesus’ footsteps; to do God’s will even at the cost of one’s comfort and convenience. The honour and the glory of God will be given to him.

Truth

1.  What we desire to be in the future should determine the manner we live our lives today. If we desire eternal glory and honour, then we should become agents of the truth and channels of blessings for the community. We should invest our time, and do things that amount to an eternal significance. Being involved in the church’s outreach programmes, children’s ministry, and various services is equivalent to serving in Jesus as He would have done the same in the church today. I have seen many who decided to take jobs that could avail them the time to serve the community and to preach the gospel. Wherever we are: in the family, workplace and neighbourhood, we must function as channels of truth and love.

2.  We can fulfill our spiritual call by being faithful to the mundane things entrusted to us. The things entrusted to us are responsibilities pertaining to our church ministry, work and family. As we are found faithful, God will promote us and grant us greater authority and resources. Authority and resources are added to us like layers of bricks, the higher layers cannot be laid until the lower ones were in position; there is no short cut. Hence, attaining our spiritual call is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration being faithful to the mundane tasks and responsibilities of life.

Application

1.  Are you sensing an urge to escape from your problems? Many thought that by changing their jobs, running away from their family, or even to get married hastily could solve their problems. What is God saying to you?

2.  Find a correlation between your work and God’s Kingdom work. You can start working towards fulfilling your spiritual call by having the right attitude towards church, family and work. If you are a salesperson, your work in bringing in the sales could keep the employees of the company employed and provide for their families.

Dear Lord, show me Your plans for my life and the calling that You have determined for me. Help me to be diligent in the responsibilities that you have entrusted to me. Connect me with people that are like-minded, who are deeply concerned with Your kingdom’s work. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.