I'm sorry for the lapse of writing...blame it on moving. We have moved to a different place and it has taken a bit of time to get settled. Still I've continued to teach weekly and continue to work through this series that covers the entire scope of the Bible's story.
The story is rich because it is a story of God's unrelenting love. When God the Father sent his Son into the world it was the highest form of love - Sacrifice. Jesus walked through Israel from North to South, East to West proclaiming "the Kingdom of God is at hand...enter..." and many did. But it was one experience in John's Gospel that highlights for me - through a narrative - what His coming was to accomplish.
In John 12, the Apostle tells us that it was six days before the Passover, which means six days before Jesus would be hung on the cross, that Jesus came to Bethany where his close friends, Lazarus, Mary and Martha lived. Mary anoints him with expensive oil which turns out to be a prophetic act - one that Jesus points us is a preparation for his burial.
The next day Jesus comes to Jerusalem - it is Sunday, Palm Sunday - and another crowd hails him as the coming King of Israel. Jesus is riding in on a young donkey, a clear fulfillment of the Old Testament prophet Zechariah. It seems rather clear that everyone - disciples included - hoped that Jesus would accept the role of the Deliverer - which is what the Jews expected of their Messiah. Vs 16 tells us that the disciples didn't understand what was about to happen...it only made sense later on. The Pharisees were livid..."look the world has gone after him." Little did they know how prophetically true they were.
It happens in John's account immediately: John 12:20-21
20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the
Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was
from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to
see Jesus."
These were Greeks who had converted to Judaism; but nevertheless they were not Jewish, they were Gentiles. They were God-honoring Gentiles who participated in Synagogue worship and adhered to Jewish laws, but without being circumcised they were never fully received by the Jews. What they wanted was so simple, but it's a beautiful request: "We would like to see, meet, Jesus".
My friend, isn't this what we all need and should want? Isn't this the essence of what Church is about? Isn't this what our lives should be about? "We want to see Jesus". His friends saw him. The disciples saw him. Now these Gentiles - those who the Pharisee had just proclaimed, "look the world has gone after him" want to see him.
Jesus responds to this in a way that reminds me of both the beauty of God's Faithfulness in sending His Son, and the way in which God uses anyone who is willing to serve His purposes...His ways.
John 12:22-26
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 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. 25 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. 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.
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 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. 25 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. 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.
I was a young believer studying to become a teacher of God's word when I first ran across this passage. Jesus died as that seed, buried and then risen...just like the acres and acres of corn and soybeans that I live around attest to. Life comes from his death, and his death has produced "many seeds" - the children of God through Jesus Christ, of which I hope you (and I) are. That is God's faithfulness on display.
Then Jesus reminds his disciples...the crowd...Me...Us... that the way to life in Christ is the same for us who want to follow Him.
"If it dies"... "If it dies"... I.e. If we die to self, lose our life for the sake of Jesus, we will gain the life that leads to eternal life in Him.
Three words...all simple...together they confronted me and became a reminder that I'm not practicing religion, I'm following a Person - God's Son, Jesus, My Savior, My Lord.
Peace
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