John 12:20-3320And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. 27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33This he said, signifying what death he should die. (John 12:20‑33)
The most of the people who went to Jerusalem for the feasts were of the Jewish race, but at that last feast when the Lord Jesus was there, some men who were Greeks came. Their nation once ruled that land and their language was known to many, but their people did not worship God.
Yet these men had learned of Him and wanted to honor Him: they heard of Jesus, perhaps from the people who were telling one another of the raising of Lazarus from death, and they wished to see Him. They came to one of the disciples, Philip, and said to him, “Sir, we would see Jesus.”
Philip told another disciple and tether they told Jesus: it seems the disciples were afraid to let others know where Jesus was, or else because they were not of that nation. But we read, “Jesus answered them”, and the next words seem especially for them, ahough said before others who stood by.
He told them of His own death. He spoke about a grain of wheat, which men of every nation, even boys and girls, would know, He said, “Except a corn (a grain or kernel) of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
A grain of wheat is put in the ground, it decays, or dies, and from it a plant springs up which bears many grains, all having their life from the one grain. But that kernel could be kept ever so long, and if not planted and did not “die”, no more would grow; it would be “alone”.
Jesus was telling those men that eept He die, none others could live, before God. He was to suffer death because of sin but from His death many would have life in Him. He knew how very soon He would suffer, and He felt sorrow, yet He said He had come for that time, or “hour”, and called it for the glory, praise and honor, of God’s name.
It seemed Jesus would have those Greeks, too, know that He was from God, and He prayed God the Father to give glory to His Name.
“Then came there a voice from Heaven saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
Jesus also told plainly what death He should die: He said He would “be lifted up from the earth.” Death on a cross was then a most common death for men who were despised, or en enemies, or criminals.
It must have been strange to those men that this great person was to die such a death, yet they must have felt how true His words were, when He so soon after died on the cross. They knew by His own words He suffered for them, and that there was no other way for any person to come, or be “drawn” to Him, but by His death.
ML 12/08/1946