The Seed That Falls
For Meditation
Jesus' reputation has been growing, and now even the Gentiles are crowding in to see him. In our passage, some Greeks send a message through Philip that they want to see Jesus. Surely Jesus is on the path to glory and now the whole world, not just the Jews, will come to him. The disciples must be so excited imagining scenes of celebration as Jesus ascends to the throne.
But Jesus stops their visions of grandeur cold. Now is the hour I am to be glorified Jesus says. "The hour" that Jesus has referred to through this book is his death. Yes, Jesus will now be glorified, but it is not by riding the praise of men into fame, it through suffering and death. It is not be being lifted up on a throne for all to see- it is by being lifted up on a cross for all to mock. Jesus will "cast out the rule of the world", but he will not do it through wielding violence against them, it will be through surrendering to violence against him. Jesus says this is the secret Kingdom path to glory. Just as a seed can only bring a harvest by falling into the ground and dying, Jesus will bring life to the world only by being cut down and buried. This is the scandal of the cross.
In preparation for worship, read 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 and reflect on how it speaks to the scandal of the cross.
John 12:20-33
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.
23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates 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.
27 “Now my soul 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. 28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will 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.