If a Seed Dies
TRANSLATION
(20) Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. (21) So they came to Philip who was from Bethsaida in Galilee and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” (22) Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew with Philip went and told Jesus. (23) And Jesus answered, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. (24) Truly I tell you unless a kernel of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (25) Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while everyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (26) Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am there will my servant also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
(27) “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No! It was for this purpose that I have come to this hour. (28) Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it and will glorify it again!” (29) The crowd that stood nearby heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” (30) Jesus responded, “This voice was for your benefit, not for mine. (31) Now is the time for the judgment of this world. Now will the prince of this world be driven out. (32) And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (33) He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
OBSERVATIONS
The request of some Greek worshipers at the Passover Feast to meet Jesus served as the occasion for the Savior to share with his disciples more of what was going through his mind before facing death on the cross. Repeated names in this segment included “Jesus” (vss. 21, 22, 23, & 30), “Philip” (three times in vss. 21 & 22), “Andrew” (twice in vs. 22), and “Father” (vss. 26, 27, & 28). “Hour” appeared three times (vss. 23 & 27). “Glorify/glorified” occurred four times (vss. 23 & 28). “Die(s)/death also is found four times (vss. 24 & 33). In verse 25 we find the phrase “loves his life” contrasted with “hates his life” as well as the phrase, “for eternal life.” “Servant/serves” appeared three times in one verse (vs. 26). “Voice” is also found twice (vss. 28 & 30).
OUTLINE
I. Philip and Andrew told Jesus that some Greeks at the feast wanted to meet him. (20-22)
II. This prompted Jesus to share with them that only from death will life emerge. (23-26)
III. The Father’s voice assured the Son that his coming death would mean life for many. (27-33)
IDEA STATEMENT
Being assured by the Father’s voice that his death was a necessary means to gaining life for many enabled Jesus to endure the coming agony of the cross.
APPLICATION
Did the Greeks who through Philip made their desire to see Jesus known to him ever get to meet him? While John never answered that specific question, he did give us a picture of what Jesus was thinking about and discussing with his disciples in those last few days before his arrest and trial. Jesus knew what was about to happen to him and wanted the disciples to understand that his death would, like the death of a kernel of wheat planted in fertile soil, produce a harvest of great value. With that principle in mind, he challenged his men to follow his example of self-sacrifice and thus bring glory to the Father by lives of fruitful service.
After speaking to his followers, Jesus called out to the Father not to save him from suffering and death but to be glorified by all that would take place. The Father immediately responded to his Son’s prayer with a message that most heard as a clap of thunder, confirming that his death would glorify God by overthrowing Satan and drawing many to saving faith. Jesus words, “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself” (Jn. 12:32), have been misinterpreted by many to refer to the impact of Gospel preaching that will bring many to saving faith. Instead, John made it abundantly clear that what would attract all people to Jesus was his being physically lifted up to die on the cross. The most gruesome form of execution that would normally cause revulsion became the very thing that has drawn multitudes to the love of God.