A crowd greeted Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt only days before the Passover feast. Even though many would celebrate the Jewish festival, the multitude also included Greeks. More surprising, according to John, some Greeks were among those who had come to worship at Passover. Then we recall John’s account of Jesus interacting with a Samaritan woman at a well. A quick Internet search turned up no other gospel accounts of Jesus interacting with Greeks. Here, some Greeks approached Philip. We don’t have to dig far before we remember Greeks were a philosophical culture that sought “truth.”
Pastor Mark Pope said perhaps they approached Philip specifically due to his Greek name. He pointed out they repeated their request, indicating they really wanted to see and hear this person they’d heard much about.1 They wanted to talk with Jesus and have a conversation2 in person with him. The Greeks approached a disciple first, not yet realizing the truth that would soon become reality.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
*When have you really wanted to see and talk with Jesus?
- It’s fitting then, that Jesus referred to his death and resurrection in his response, when he would be glorified. All would recognize, honor, and praise the Lord when his crucifixion and resurrection proved His words about Himself true.3
- Jesus used the metaphor of wheat to introduce his teaching that following him results in death that leads to life everlasting. Those who serve him die to self that others then might live.
- Jesus is our example.
- Anyone who loves his life as he loves a dear friend will be deprived of a greater life beyond the grave.4
- He who slights his earthly life, turning his back on it, will preserve his life onward, toward, and into a place5 [of eternal life].6
“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
- Jesus came to serve and give his life.
- All who follow Jesus and his teachings learn to serve, to help someone directly.7
- God bestows favor on those who serve Jesus in this way.
*What does it look like to die to self?
*How might we serve Jesus by helping others see him?
- Jesus was troubled in spirit, but he chose to do God’s will and prayed the Father would be glorified.
- John wrote the word “soul,” a very human word meaning the person, seat of desires, affections, and appetites.8
- In his flesh, Jesus experienced great distress regarding the path set before him.
- He prayed for rescue from the impending peril descending on his physical life.9
- Perhaps his unspoken questions included how to find peace in those moments as he carried God’s master plan.
- Jesus’ purpose was to give his life.
- The Father confirmed Jesus would be glorified through his obedience on the cross.
- The Father confirmed his Name, I AM, was truly glorified.
- In these verses, we see a glimpse of the trinity, glorified separately in the persons of the Father and the Son. Jesus included the Holy Spirit in these heavenly wonders later in John’s gospel.
“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).
- The people heard what sounded like thunder. At Jesus’ baptism, some also heard a voice from heaven.
“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
- A voice thundered, to acknowledge the truth about the Son’s glorious divine character and to glorify the Father.10
- In this scene toward the end of Jesus’ ministry, all heard God’s will.
*How would you describe Jesus’ experience as he faced his death?
*How would you explain the Father and the Son being glorified?
- Through Jesus’ death by crucifixion, he would judge the evil one.
- Satan, the ruler of a world currently dominated by evil, would be cast out.
“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).
- The Lord’s death would draw people to believe he is the Son of God.
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3:14-15).
“When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54).
- The people believed Messiah would live (and reign) forever, so he couldn’t possibly die.
“Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever…” (Isaiah 9:7).
“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14).
- Therefore, who is this “Son of Man?”
- Jesus made a last appeal to recognize him as the light.
- John recorded numerous times when Jesus spoke about the true light from God.
- Jesus encouraged those in the crowd to trust in him as the true light and they will see where they are going, back to the Father.
- His hour was close at hand, but not quite fulfilled, so Jesus went away again.
*How does Scripture help us understand Scripture?
*How does the true light guide us back to the Father?
*What are the best ways we can serve and honor Jesus?
- Mark Pope, “Transitioning Times,” Turning Point at Calvary. August 3, 2023. https://www.tpcalvary.com/dailyarchive/august-3-2023
- Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (AMG Publishers, 1992), 508.
- Zodhiates, 482.
- Zodhiates, 230, 1445, 1494
- Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=unto
- Zodhiates, 1457.
- Zodhiates, 429.
- Zodhiates, 1495.
- Zodhiates, 1353.
- Zodhiates, 481.