On Line Bible Study - For the Week August 13-19, 2012
Lesson 549
John 12: 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
John's gospel is rich with meaning and nuance. We are going to pick out two things from this section that includes John 12:20-36.
First, Gentiles have come looking for Jesus. Commentators point to the possibility that coming to "see" Jesus can also be construed as expressing the desire to believe in Jesus. Word has gotten out beyond the boundaries of the Jewish community, and the message of Christ and about Christ has spilled over into the Gentile world.
Recalling the passage from John 10:16 in which Jesus indicates there are "other sheep that are not of this pen" - perhaps we are to think of the "Greeks" (Gentiles) who come seeking Jesus as these "other sheep". And with their openness to the message, Jesus responds by saying:
John 12: 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Perhaps we could put it this way: The message has gone viral.
The next verses provide our second area of focus:
John 12: 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
The evidence of a faithful life is that it is a fruitful life, not necessarily a long life. It has both every day application as well as ultimate meaning. It's not the physical dying that makes a life fruitful, but the life lived with Christ in the lead.
We are constantly faced with the very human desire to do things our own way. Jesus invites us to think about things from the perspective of his presence. It's not so much "What would Jesus do?" as it is this: Is Jesus present in this moment? Isn't it telling that the very next thing Jesus says in the gospel has to do with his soul being "troubled", and wondering if he should pray that this hour be removed from him? Jesus is able to recognize the very presence of his Father in this moment. To run from it would be unfaithful and unfruitful.
Every day - sometimes every moment - we are called upon to 'die'. We are put in positions where we can let go and become more intensely aware of the presence of Christ. Jesus will go to the cross - and this passage of Scripture is clear that those who 'serve him' must also follow him. Where I am, my servant will also be!
To re-cap: The message of Jesus and about Jesus is a message for the whole world. Jesus is the seed planted in our soul - his way is the way that leads toward the fruitful life. Let's be ever grateful for all those who invested in our lives and planted seeds of patience, forgiveness, love, grace ... and let's be on the lookout for how we can plant those same seeds in the lives of others.
John 12: 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
John's gospel is rich with meaning and nuance. We are going to pick out two things from this section that includes John 12:20-36.
First, Gentiles have come looking for Jesus. Commentators point to the possibility that coming to "see" Jesus can also be construed as expressing the desire to believe in Jesus. Word has gotten out beyond the boundaries of the Jewish community, and the message of Christ and about Christ has spilled over into the Gentile world.
Recalling the passage from John 10:16 in which Jesus indicates there are "other sheep that are not of this pen" - perhaps we are to think of the "Greeks" (Gentiles) who come seeking Jesus as these "other sheep". And with their openness to the message, Jesus responds by saying:
John 12: 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Perhaps we could put it this way: The message has gone viral.
The next verses provide our second area of focus:
John 12: 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
The evidence of a faithful life is that it is a fruitful life, not necessarily a long life. It has both every day application as well as ultimate meaning. It's not the physical dying that makes a life fruitful, but the life lived with Christ in the lead.
We are constantly faced with the very human desire to do things our own way. Jesus invites us to think about things from the perspective of his presence. It's not so much "What would Jesus do?" as it is this: Is Jesus present in this moment? Isn't it telling that the very next thing Jesus says in the gospel has to do with his soul being "troubled", and wondering if he should pray that this hour be removed from him? Jesus is able to recognize the very presence of his Father in this moment. To run from it would be unfaithful and unfruitful.
Every day - sometimes every moment - we are called upon to 'die'. We are put in positions where we can let go and become more intensely aware of the presence of Christ. Jesus will go to the cross - and this passage of Scripture is clear that those who 'serve him' must also follow him. Where I am, my servant will also be!
To re-cap: The message of Jesus and about Jesus is a message for the whole world. Jesus is the seed planted in our soul - his way is the way that leads toward the fruitful life. Let's be ever grateful for all those who invested in our lives and planted seeds of patience, forgiveness, love, grace ... and let's be on the lookout for how we can plant those same seeds in the lives of others.
posted by Mark D at 1:30 PM
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