John 12:20-36 (NIV)

Just before today’s passage the pharisees were frustrated by how the whole world was going after Jesus. In today’s passage we see just that. God- fearing Greeks come to worship in Jerusalem and are wanting to meet Jesus. This is it, this is the thing that tells Jesus that his time has come. But instead of meeting with them, instead of stepping out into the fame and glory that the people want to shower him with, he steps away. But why?

These Greek worshipers had the right idea, get to know Jesus… But Jesus knew that in order to really satisfy their request, it could not be by the path of power, fame, and self-absorbed honor. If Israel was to finally live up to it’s calling to be a blessing to all the nations… it would require a representative to do what Israel could not do for themselves, through weakness, sacrifice, and humility.

----------REFLECT----------

1. What tensions or contrasts surprised you in this passage?

2. Jesus sees his death and resurrection as a seed dying in the ground and coming out of the ground with new life that produces many more seeds. As we follow Jesus, our life is like a seed. It only produces fruit if we are willing to part with it and place it in the soil of humble, sacrificial, self-giving love. Otherwise, we hold the seed in our hand and it produces nothing. How might Jesus be calling you to offer up your life to be planted today?

3. Jesus speaks of his own death in this passage. He says that when he is lifted up--another way to translate that is to say, when I’m exalted, he says that then he would draw all people to himself. He is calling the crucifixion his exaltation. How does this paradox challenge your worldview when it comes to power, honor, and esteem?

----------CONNECT----------

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