Scripture: Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “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. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:20-26 ESV
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Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, as many had witnessed or heard the reports of Jesus’ messianic signs, much anticipation surrounded Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Thus, the crowd exuberantly shouts two verses from one of King David’s psalms of ascent (Psalm 118:25-26). Indeed, this would be a familiar hymn that pilgrims would joyfully sing as they enter Jerusalem for each Passover celebration. Meanwhile, the chief priests are stricken with fear over the testimony of those who witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. So John tells us the Pharisees in attendance discuss the urgency of executing Jesus, noting that delaying their plan will gain nothing, for “the world has gone after him”(v.19).
Today’s text is found only in John’s Gospel. John tells his audience that some Greeks (most likely proselytes, i.e., converts to Judaism) pilgrimaged to Jerusalem for this monumental feast of Passover. Approaching Philip (who bears a Greek name and probably looked more like them in appearance), these Greeks request a meeting with Jesus. Philip relays the message to Andrew, and the two go and tell Jesus. While Jesus does not directly respond to the Greeks’ request, he implies he does not have time to engage with them. Instead, employing the metaphor of a grain of wheat falling into the earth and dying, only to give seed to new life that bears much fruit, Jesus informs the two that his hour has come for glorification (i.e., crucifixion and resurrection). Jesus then applies this symbolism to all who would follow him, for the journey entails much loss in this life to gain eternal life, implying that any would-be disciple must follow his example of sacrificial servitude.
Takeaway: Jesus’ teaching that one who loves their worldly life will lose eternal life appears in all four Gospels. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus uses the phrase to charge his disciples for missions (Matthew 10:39). In Mark’s Gospel, he expresses the words as a warning to his disciples and the surrounding crowd (Mark 8:36). And in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus similarly speaks this metaphor to a growing number followers (Luke 14:26). Evidently, Jesus shared this core teaching throughout his ministry to prepare would-be disciples. But there is more to its apparent meaning. Theologian Merrill Tenney notes that in verse 25, John records Jesus’ first use of “life” as the Greek psychē, generally referring to our soul (i.e., our personality and earthly life experiences), and the second as the Greek zōē, which, when coupled with “eternal,” refers to our spiritual vitality and experiences with God (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John, p.129).
Our takeaway? Jesus’ use of the word “hate” is hyperbolic to emphasize a wholehearted commitment to prioritizing our life in service to him over worldly pursuits. But if our first love is for life’s temporal gains and fleeting pleasures, then we will sell ourselves short of eternal riches, joy, and honor bestowed on us by our Father (v.26). That’s a lot to lose!
Our part? How do we avoid such a disastrous ending? Jesus essentially echoes a unified truth about his and our missions. Jesus came into our world not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for us (Matthew 20:8 and Mark 10:45). Thus, Jesus calls us to follow his example of sacrificially loving and serving others by dying to our selfish ways and rising to a new life of loving servitude as his ambassadors. But this is not a one-and-done process. We must keep dying and rising, for sin crouches at our door (Genesis 4:7). Thankfully, we have an unfailing helper. The Holy Spirit will convict, encourage, and strengthen us each step of the way so that we might bear much fruit of disciple-making (Matthew 28:18-19).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who perfectly completed his mission by serving, dying, rising, and bearing much fruit with each subsequent generation of disciples. While we understand that he calls us to die to our selfish ways and rise to loving servitude, we confess that we do not like the dying process. So, please help us to cooperate with your Holy Spirit and follow his lead as we reach the end of our resources and discover our true selves, created to love, serve, and bear much fruit for you and your Son’s glory. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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