Truth Exposed 43 Glorifying Christ, It Might Not Mean What You Think It Means. John 12:20-33. (382)

John 12:20-33

We continue with the events where a large crowd came to Jesus right after his triumphal entry. The Greeks were Jews who visited from out of town, and seemed to be more than just curious about seeking Jesus. They had come for Passover, and now were pleased to seek after Jesus.

The crowd approached Philip who took them to Andrew, and the pair of disciples took them to Jesus. Philip and Andrew can often be seen taking people to meet the master. Did these foreigners have any idea about Jesus being their Messiah?

In response, Jesus announced his hour had come. But his glorification didn’t mean what the crowd thought it should mean. Jesus begins teaching them with a parable about a grain of wheat that needs to die in the ground so more wheat can grow and be harvested. He goes on to say that those who love this life will only die. The ones who hate this temporary life will find an eternal life.

How can this be done? By serving the Messiah, and walking in his path with him. Being so close that where he is the servant will also be there. This kind of humble relationship is honored and valued by God.

Jesus words begin to take a dark turn when he says that his soul is troubled. Should he ask the father to save him from the hour that has come? It would defeat the purpose, since it is approaching death is the entire reason why Jesus came.

Jesus prayed that God would be glorified, and God answered him. The audible response surprised the crowd. Some try to explain it by natural causes and others one supernatural. Did anyone understand it at all? Jesus explained that the voice was not for him, but for those gathered around.

9 So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying
that it had thundered;
others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
~`
crowd, stood. thronging mass, bystanders.
thunder became, angels talking.
`~

30 Jesus answered and said,
“This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes.
~`
Jesus sets them straight.
the voice was for the people, not him.

he continues his explanation by saying that judgment had come to the world. Also, that the ruler of the universe is being thrown out. This is all good, right? Jesus also goes on to say even if he appears to be defeated by being lifted up and out of the earth, he will still draw all men to him.

What did he mean by this? It was a prophecy about the way he would die.

Did the crowd get it? they understood that Jesus was declaring himself as messiah. they understood that being lifted up was a cursed way to die. They also understood that he was saying that he would soon die.

but wait. didn’t prophecy say messiah would remain to rule forever?

stay tuned for next time when this discourse continues.