At this point in our study of John’s Gospel, we are introduced to the Hellenist Jews, that is, the Jews of the Diaspora who had come to worship at the feast. We met them earlier, but they respected the authority of their leaders at Jerusalem and repeated what they said about Jesus, accusing him of being demonic (John 7:20; cp. 7:25). In the twelfth chapter of John, however, things are different. It was the Jewish authorities who had told them about Jesus’ miracle in raising Lazarus from the dead (John 12:9, 17-18). As I mentioned in my previous study in chapter seven, the Diaspora Jews were intensely loyal to their Jewish leaders at Jerusalem. Now, however, they had found those same leaders to encourage their trust in Jesus as the Messiah. Therefore, they did what their leaders wanted them to do. They began to trust Jesus and went to Philip, asking to see him (John 12:20-21). Philip then took them to Andrew, who seems to be one if the inner group who controlled who received an audience with Jesus (John 12:22; cp. Matthew 19:13; Luke 18:39).
Jesus received the news that some of the Diaspora wish to see him as evidence that his hour had come, and he would now be glorified in fulfilling what the Father had sent him to do (John 12:23; cp. John 3:16). Yet, how is the believing Diaspora evidence that his hour had come?
Then I said, I have labored in vain; I have spent My strength for nothing, and in vain; yet surely My judgment is with Jehovah, and My work with My God. And now, says Jehovah who formed Me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob again to Him, Though Israel is not gathered, yet I shall be glorious in the eyes of Jehovah, and My God shall be My strength. And He said, It is but a little thing that You should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to bring back the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You for a light to the nations, to be My salvation to the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:4-6)
Although for all intents and purposes it appeared Jesus had labored in vain, even those, who are excited to see him at this time, would soon desert him. Yet, even so, the fact that the Diaspora wanted to see him, Jesus saw this as a kind of seed that dies, but would, nevertheless, sprout and end in his glorification, so that his work would actually end in success and fulfill the reason why the Father had sent him (John 3:16; cp. Matthew 15:24).
Jesus concludes by saying death is the key to life. Unless a man is born again, and one cannot be reborn unless he is dead, so unless one is born again, he cannot even see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Therefore, **if** a seed dies, it will bring forth much fruit (John 12:24). *If** a man chooses Christ instead of his own life in this world (John 12:25-26), let him serve/live as Christ would live (WWJD). **If** a man would serve Christ, the Father will honor him (John 12:26). Thus, **if** Jesus is lifted up (dies), he will draw all men to himself (John 12:32)!
Nevertheless, **if** a seed doesn’t die, it abides alone (John 12:24), and **if ** a man loves his life in this world, and refuses to choose Christ over it, he will lose the life he loves so dearly, and he will not be honored by the Father in it (John 12:25-26). Moreover, the one who hears the words of Christ but rejects him, will, indeed lose all he thought he had in this life (John 12:25). Nevertheless, Christ will not judge him (John 12:47).
Smoodock's Blog 