John 12:20-33 - Some Greeks Want to See Jesus 

John 12:20) Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21) They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22) Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23) Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24) Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25) Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26) Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 27) “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28) Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29) The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30) Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31) Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler 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 indicate the kind of death he was to die.

Understanding the Gospel of John: John’s Gospel is significantly different from the other three. John is less concerned with putting down a chronological biography as he is with a spiritual/theological biography. Some scholars joke that John is more concerned with truth than facts. Simply put, the Gospel of John is written to nurture faith in Jesus so that the individual might gain “life” both now and for eternity. Throughout John we find many symbols and layers of meaning. You can be sure when reading this gospel that there is always more going on that what meets the eye on the surface.

Context of Today’s Lesson: Jesus has just arrived, amid palms and hosannas, in Jerusalem for Passover. We know that he has made this pilgrimage for the last time. His friends do not. Now he must try to prepare them for what is coming. The arrival of the Greeks (perhaps Jewish learners) signals a new section in the Gospel. John’s readers understood their arrival symbolically. They represented the whole non-Jewish world that, while the Jewish establishment resisted, were clamoring to see and learn from Jesus.

What is the meaning of Jesus’ death? Atonement simply means reconciliation. In Christian theology atonement refers to the removal of the effects or consequences of sin so that relationship with God is established and unfettered. The Greek word often used to express this concept literally means ‘to establish friendship’. Throughout Christian history, believers have agreed that Jesus’ death was the atonement for sin that reestablished right relationship between believers and God and removed any barrier to the joy and intimacy that relationship provides. While nearly all Christians agree on that, there have been many theories as to just how that reconciliation happened.

Among the most influential theories are

1) substitution – This theory asserts that on the cross Jesus got what was really coming to us. He took our rightful place. (See Heb, 9:28, 1 Pet. 2:24.)

2) redemption or ransom theory – This theory suggests that human beings were held captive to sin and death and that on the cross Jesus rescued or bought us back with his own life. (See Titus 2:14, 1 Pet. 1:18.)

3) propitiation – This theory says that on the cross Jesus appeased, satisfied or averted God’s wrath with us due to sin. (See Rom. 3:25, Heb. 2:17.)

4) victory – This theory understands the cross as the ultimate victory of God over sin, evil and all powers that enslave human beings thereby opening up new possibilities of existence and intimacy with God.

5) glory – This theory asserts that on the cross divine glory was completely revealed in self-giving love. That love, and that love alone, breaks down any perceived or real barrier between God and God’s people. It is Love itself that reconciles and it is Love itself that removes the consequences of sin in the relationship between God and God’s people. In this theory the root sin is understood as idolatry. Seeing the truth of God’s love on the cross renders idolatry unthinkable. The Johannine School tended to think along glory theory lines, with a dash of victory thrown in. In each of these theories the origin of atonement is divine Love. Period. To understand the atonement it is helpful to keep the oneness of Christ and God in mind even as his humanity was so tortured. It is in Christ that God’s own self bears the consequences of our sin. This is at a cost to God, not a third party. This is not, as some contemporary theologians have asserted, a heinous myth of divine child abuse! It is the supreme act of self-giving love.

Word Study
Vs. the festival – the Jewish celebration of Passover.
The Greeks – These were probably not Gentile converts to Judaism, but rather Gentile monotheists who found Judaism compatible and wanted to learn more.
Vs. 21 – we wish to see Jesus – can mean desire to meet or desire to believe in
Vs. 23 – hour – in John this refers to the time when Jesus’ purpose will be made complete in his death, resurrection and ascension.
Glorified – made splendid, shimmering, a window into God’s own self.
Vs. 24 – very truly – literally ‘Amen. Amen.’ This is a signal for important new teaching.
Falls into the earth…- literally falling to the earth, dies. The emphasis is not on the falling but on the dying.
Remains just a single grain – literally ‘remains alone’.
If it dies it bears much fruit – the image is of death as the route to productivity.
Vs. 25 – loves…hates – Jewish idiom often uses opposites to express preferences
Their life – Greek ‘psyche’ – refers to physical life or the self. Sometimes translated as ‘soul’ but not in the immortal soul sense, more like the essence of a person.
Lose…keep – the word for ‘lose’ can also be translated ‘destroys’. Keep life is the translation of the Greek word Zoë that refers to full, creative, unending life.
Vs. 26 – the Father will honor – this is the only time in the New Testament when God is shown as honoring humans.
Vs. 27 – soul – psyche see above
Vs. 28 – a voice from heaven – the first time that the Father speaks in John. The people recognize that something powerfully spiritual is taking place but they are unable to understand what it is.
Vs. 31 – now is the judgment of this world – the moment where the truth will be revealed.
The ruler of this world – a metaphor for Satan, or the opponent of Christ.
Driven out – or cast down.
Vs. 32 – I shall draw – in the sense of dragging, pulling or attracting.
All people – no one (it could also be translated as all things to include people and the created order) will be outside Jesus’ drawing power once his mission is complete.
To myself – the goal of Jesus life on earth is to draw all people to intimate fellowship with him in God.

Questions for Personal Reflection
1. When have you most longed to see Jesus? What do you hope he will do for you?
2. What changes are most difficult for you to accept and make?
3. Can you think of a time when you made a scary change and found great blessing in it?