We Wish To See Jesus

John 12:20-26

Review• Sunday of the week of Crucifixion

– Jesus has entered Jerusalem amidst much celebration and shouts of triumph• Matthew, Mark and Luke record that He went to

the temple and once again drove the merchants and money-changers from the temple

– Mt 21:12-17; Mk 11:15-19; Lk 19:45-48– John does not record the cleansing, perhaps

because he recorded a similar earlier incident » Jn 2:13-22

• Matthew also includes the fact that the blind and lame then followed Jesus into the temple to be healed and the children shouted “Hosana, Son of David”

The Greeks• John 12:20

– We are now introduced to “certain Greeks”• Who are these Greeks? 4 possibilities

1. Hellenistic Jews (Jews who lived in Greek areas, spoke Greek, adopted Greek culture)– Not usually called Greeks, but Hellenists

2. Proselytes (Gentiles who had converted to Judaism and were circumcised)– Were usually called “proselytes”, but were allowed

full-access to the temple courts3. God-fearers (Gentiles who believed in God, but had not

been circumcised, – Also called “proselytes of the gates”, not allowed into

the Court of Israel, but could worship in the Court of Gentiles as close as the gates to Israel’s court

4. Pagans (Gentiles who did not believe in God)– Wouldn’t be there to worship, though some did bring

gifts

The Greeks• So which Greeks do we have here?

– Called Greeks rather than Hellenists, seeming to eliminate Hellenistic Jews

– They came up to worship, eliminating the Pagans

– That leaves Proselytes and God-fearers• Proselytes could have been coming to the feast

to celebrate Passover– As Jews they were allowed to eat Passover– Would have been able to go find Jesus

• God-fearers were allowed to worship at the feast, but not join in the feast– Also would not have been able to find Jesus if

He was in the Court of Israel

Asking Philip• John 12:21

– Don’t know for certain why they asked Philip• Perhaps he was just the first disciple they saw• Perhaps because his name was Greek

– Which might also mean Philip spoke Greek• Perhaps they knew Philip

– Might be implied by the reference to his hometown

– They ask (very politely) to see Jesus• Not a glimpse, but to converse with Him• Jesus might have been in the Court of Israel

– Asking Philip to go ask Him to come out• Or He might simply have been too busy

– Asking Philip to set up a meeting somewhere less crowded

Philip goes to Andrew• John 12:22

– As we mentioned in a previous lesson on Philip• He was a “facts and figures”, “by-the-book”, practical

minded, non-forward thinking, non-spontaneous individual

– Here was a new situation, He doesn’t want to do the wrong thing (and get rebuked)

• Jesus had spoken of certain groups– Matt 10:5-6– But He had made exceptions

» Mt 15:21-28 (Gentiles)» John 4 (Samaritans)

– So He takes the matter to Andrew• Andrew was more out-going, and more of a risk-taker• Andrew brings Philip and the question to Jesus

– Jesus needs to hear the request, and Andrew is not afraid to bring this request to Jesus

Jesus’ answer• John 12:23

– The first thing Jesus mentions is that it is time for Him to be glorified• Either a reference to His approaching death

• Or an acknowledgement that it is time for the gospel message to reach out to more than just Jews so that all could give Him glory

• Or both, since His death is approaching, people like these Greeks are right in looking to Jesus

– Thereby glorifying Him

Jesus’ answer• John 12:24

– The physical part of the analogy is clear• A seed must die before it can give life to a new

plant– What is He saying, and does it answer the

question?• The reference to the seed dying, being in the

ground, and spring up into new life certainly is a reference to His coming death, burial and resurrection

– Combined with v23, seems to be saying the time is COMING for Greeks to glorify Him, but they need to wait for His death, burial and resurrection

» Then there will be much fruit

The fruit• John 12:25-26

– Those who love the life they have will only have that life• And no matter how you try, you can’t keep that

life forever

– Those who hate life in this world• Who realize this word has nothing of lasting

good (1 Jn 2:15-17)

• Those are the ones who will keep the reward of eternal life

– To get one life requires rejecting the other (Matt 6:24)

The fruit• Getting back to the question again

– If one wants to see Jesus, then one needs to follow Jesus• Not just say they follow Him, but actually obey

His words (Jn 8:31-32; Mt 7:21-23)

• This is what Jesus has always been teaching– Matt 16:24-27

– If one does that, then they have the assurance they will get to be where Jesus is at that time (in heaven)• Because the Father will honor in heaven those

who choose to serve the Son on earth and in heaven

Conclusion• So did the Greeks get to see Jesus?

– We’re not told directly– Perhaps all they got was the message Jesus

gave to Philip and Andrew• If you want to see Jesus, then you will need to

follow and serve Him– Seeing Him is part of the reward of rejecting this

life in favor of eternal life

• If you wish to see Jesus, then you need to get started now