John 12: 20-33
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, 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. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me, must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out, but I when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
A Thought
Jesus is aware that his hour has come for him to face his death on the cross. When told the Greeks wanted to see him, Jesus tells them a parable. Jesus compares himself to the single kernel of wheat that has to fall to the ground and die before it can produce many seeds to explain that at his death and resurrection, he will become the hope of eternal life for all people. The man who prefers his life the way it is, will lose it. While the man who hates the sin of his life will serve and follow Jesus; he will be honored by the Father and receive eternal life. Jesus’ heart is troubled but knowing his death will give eternal life to those that choose to follow and serve him, Jesus tells the Father to glorify his name in this hour. A voice came from heaven so the people would know that now judgement is on the world, the prince of his world will be driven out, Jesus will be resurrected and will call all men to him.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for the eternal life made available by the death and resurrection of Jesus to all people. Teach us to hate the evil of this life, to die to self, to follow and serve Jesus in his name we ask, amen.
