We pick up the story after Jesus has entered Jerusalem; His “Triumphal Entry”. The news of His having raised Lazarus has spread like wildfire through the region and people are flocking to Jesus like never before, some just to have a look and others in faith. The reaction of the Pharisees in verse 19 is classic: “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” Yes, they must put a stop to this business, pronto! Our text begins with some Greeks who are present for Passover who approach Phillip asking to meet with Jesus. It would seem that they were not Greek speaking Jews, but Gentile Greeks. Notice that they approach Phillip who goes to Andrew. Phillip and Andrew are not only from Galilee like these Greeks, but they have Greek names, the only two amongst the disciples. They are “Hellenized” Jews which is to say that they have adopted Greek culture while remaining Jews. Thus, it is believed that they took Greek names and most likely are Greek in dress and hair style.
They approach Jesus with the request of a meeting and Jesus answers oddly by going straight to the subject of His impending death. Using the example of a grain of wheat, Jesus will now teach those around him that life (eternal life) comes from death. The use of the example of grain is designed to overcome the fact that this concept is entirely counter-intuitive to humans who have not seen the glories of Heaven. The message is obvious in His case, now that we know the rest of the story, but the implication for us is quite serious: Any of us who holds on to our lives in this world too selfishly will not inherit eternal life, for we will not follow Jesus at all. This idea is seen in verse 26 where Jesus equates losing or “hating” this worldly life with serving Him and thus serving God. Thus, we “lose” our life by serving God rather than serving ourselves. I cannot over emphasize the importance of this idea, for this in the Christian life!
Verses27-28 reveal that Jesus was troubled by what He was about to face in going to the cross to die a horrible death. Remember that He is both Divine and human and had the same instincts of survival that we all have. How would you feel about things if you knew that you were soon going to be taken away for torture and death? I would be on my way out of town! Jesus has a different response, for this is the very reason He has been brought to this point. It is interesting that John tells us about this encounter that is begun with the arrival of the Greeks. Maybe Jesus was tempted to go off with them and take His message to a whole different audience to avoid His date with the cross… In any case, He will not be swayed from His purpose, and God confirms His approval with a rare vocal endorsement.
The people heard the voice and stunned, await some clarification. Jesus explains that the voice was for their benefit, so they would know that everything is going according to God’s plan. Then, He demonstrates the point in three amazing ways:
First, the time has come for “judgment on this world”. Since the Greek word rendered “judgment” is krisis, if we leave it un-translated, the statement would read “Now is the crisis of this world.” A crisis for this world would surely come when Jesus is murdered in front of everyone when all were aware of His total innocence. This would expose the sin that has the entire world in its grip for all of its stinking rottenness. Second, it is the time when “the prince of this world will be driven out.” Satan, who has the world in his pocket through their slavery to sin, will lose his grip on those who will follow Jesus, those who will be set free from bondage to sin. Third, that Jesus will die by being “lifted up” gives His listeners the method by which all of this will be accomplished; He will die on a cross. The result of this will be that all peoples who look to the cross in faith will see not merely a method of execution, but the means by which they can be saved from sin and death.
We reach a major turning point in Johns’ Gospel at this point. The crowd has come to discuss national liberation from Rome, and Jesus is talking about death and redemption. They object and refer to Daniel 7:14 which teaches that the Messiah will be with them forever. Jesus doesn’t engage. He does offer one last bit of advice: Darkness is about to descend, their only hope is to believe in Jesus (“trust in the light”) which will enable them to resist the oppressive spiritual darkness, for they will become “sons of light”. With that, Jesus slips away. The rest of the Gospel will describe Jesus’ answer to the question they have posed: “Who is this Son of Man?”
Life Project Blog 
A very edifying post. A good reminder not to hold on to life in this world. It is not the way to inherit the kingdom of God. It is because we hold on to worldly things that we have so much evil in the world. We fight over the scarce resources wanting to grab for ourselves and clearing anything that stands on our way. The best thing to do is to take up Jesus’ cross and follow him; turning our back on earthly things. If we all got this message in your post, the world would be a better place for all.
Very well stated, thank you!
Reblogged this on dawterofkingjesus101's Blog and commented:
This gave insight in understanding the type of man that Jesus was, and how he was like before His death on the cross
Thank you. Good clarification on the three ways in which Jesus demonstrates the fact that God’s plan is coming to fruition. I had not seen it that way before.
Excellent, thank you!
“I cannot over emphasize the importance of this idea, for this in the Christian life!”
An odd thought happened reading your words and these verses here. That “death” is too often taken literally. We must die and be reborn. Yet isn’t it that we are simply “putting down” one way of life through choice and “picking up” another? And isn’t forgiveness a case of “putting down” hurt and “picking up” a fresh start. That we do (and have it done to us) over and over again. And that the “Christian Life” by default is a continual putting down and picking up. One we have a great deal of control over.
And maybe that is closer to the “Christian life” … to what Jesus intended … than the “one Almighty BirthBang of salvation” after which we suppose we should be godlike and perfect(?) all the time. And end up spinning on a hot poker of sin – claiming we are helpless, worthless, nothing without Him (and making the same choices over and over) That we so often keep picking up and not putting down the same choices over and over. And then spinning helplessly in “sin.”
As is so often the case, Paul, you’ve taken us into “Big Boy” territory! 🙂
This territory is not for the faint of heart, because you are quite right in saying that we have a great deal of control over what we do, and certainly in Christ we are not at all helpless to deal with sin. Oh yes, temptations come our way, but where is it written that we must give in to them? No sir, that is a choice we make.
“Death” in this context is a metaphor, as you suggest. As you know it means separation; we are to put the old life to death, is to say that we should separate ourselves from it and live a new life. Yet this is no “self-improvement” program, for it is not simply me being a better person, but the Holy Spirit at work in me that makes the change real and lasting. This is a long term, work in progress kind of experience, and yes, I screw up from time to time along the way, but the destination is assured.
In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” The denying one’s self always made sense to me, as did the “follow me.” It was the meaning of “take up his cross” that was not quite clear to me. Then, some time ago, it did become clear: The cross is an instrument of execution! To follow Jesus one must execute self!
Yeah it is. I’ve met a preacher or two who aren’t crazy about doing that sermon!
I learn or get clarification on so much as I read your blogs and your discussions with commenters! Praise God for leading you to share so many thoughts with us all.
I’ve gotten behind the past few days because of busy-ness with church and life in general and I must say I have missed reading your blog posts! Trying to get up to date tonight. 🙂
LOL
It’s always so irritating when life interferes with blogging! 🙂
lol yes it is! 🙂 Have a lovely blessed day Don!