The Gospel of John Lesson 46 (09-09-2013) John 12:20-6

The Gospel of John Lesson 46 (09-09-2013)

Lesson 46 – John 12:20-6

In John 12:20-2 we see some apparently Grecian Gentiles who were attending the Passover ask Phillip if they could have a private conference with Jesus. Jesus’ response in vs. 23 and following to their request is an interesting one. Although He does not meet with them at this time He begins to explains to His disciples how even these outsiders will be brought into His Kingdom. He tells them in vs. 23-26 in preparation that what is about to happen will even include those outside the nation Israel like these Greeks who were honestly and sincerely seeking out Jesus to understand the truths about Him.

Jesus uses the analogy of the seed. that can remain intact and dry in a jar or on a shelf and remain as is being only one, showing no increase for its existence. Staying as is, without being sown and dying to itself it will eventually lose potency over time and eventually blow away and die. But, good seed that is sown in good soil will end up dying to itself, producing so much more than just one seed.

Some seeds have an incredible ability to multiply and produce an unbelievable amount of fruit. But, if not sown it produces nothing. Even the plant itself that comes from a seed is an incredible transformation from its original state making it worth the sowing of the seed. Jesus’ Transfiguration is an example of this. But, as we saw with Jesus’ example of the fig tree, the production of fruit is important to God. The Son of Man’s body was about to be sown and it would bare much fruit, including outsiders like these Gentiles.

In vs. 23 and 24 of John 12, following the request of these Greeks, Jesus attempts to begin to inform His followers that His death will bring in many diverse followers, even those outside the nation Israel. To be sure, at this time this part of what He was sharing with them was confusing to them. They were still looking at Him as the triumphant King coming to His people and not really understanding the seed analogy much less the broad harvest that He was referring to. Before they could get it and understand what He was telling them they would have to witness His death and resurrection, and, Jesus/God would have to have vivid and direct encounters with His followers before they would understand the broad reach of His offer of Salvation.

But, Jesus was also preparing them for what was to come for them personally. Jesus had a plan for them. They were now a part of His plan as well as His Kingdom. His Kingdom operated on different principles and concepts that were foreign to them at this time. Many of the truths that Jesus shared with them were taught by example. Jesus would soon demonstrate His example of the parable of the seed.

He begins by telling them in v. 24-5 that to win, you have to lose! Wow, that is so unlike this world. Survival of the fittest. Get them before they get you. It is ok to step on the next guy as you move ahead as long as you do it with the right attitude. May the best man win. Beat the next guy…get the prize. To win you need that competitive edge. But, in winning someone else is losing, even if they are trying and doing their best.

In a few days they would see Jesus, in their eyes and according to their thinking, lose big time,…on purpose. When they see what they are about to see they will literally believe that all has been lost, eventually acting on what they believed and scatter, running for their lives. But, Jesus shares with them another principle here telling them how to get the big payoff …the windfall…how to hit the jackpot! He tells them that to do so you have to give up everything and make the ultimate sacrifice, dying…intentionally…on purpose…so that the next guy wins.

What Jesus was teaching here was not some weird form of socialism designed to spread the wealth even to those who do nothing to earn it. Jesus and the Bible have a lot to say about work and putting forth effort looking for a return for one’s labor for the benefit of themselves and the others that they choose to share it with.

But, in preparing them for what was to come in just a few days, He knowing that they would not initially understand it was telling them that they should be observant and should be watching for a visual demonstration of the most important principle found in God’s Kingdom, giving one’s life of comfort so that someone else can benefit. 

This principle was found in the parable of the ‘Pearl of Great Price’. The only difference, however, is that it was easier to give up everything to get something in return that was of greater value, a valuable pearl. In doing so in essence you are not really giving everything up, but actually taking a risk or making an investment hoping to actually gain more.

But, all of Jesus’ parables were to entice us to buy into this principle found here in vs. 24 and 25 of chapter 12 taking us one step closer in perspective and attitude to the heart of Kingdom principles saying that what I do, I do not do it for my own benefit, but I do it for you, at a cost to me, …asking nothing in return.

In doing so Jesus is telling us that to give to get may have a benefit, but it is not really giving at all. However, in giving at our expense, costing us something, not expecting payment in return or expecting a return on our investment, now that is a whole different thing. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a good example of this principle. Jesus made this principle clear also in giving us the Golden Rule.  The Kingdom of God is won with principles like this, principles that are not of this world. Giving in this fashion is in essence like touching the heart of God, founded on the principle of God which is known as Love, Jn 3:16.

Not too long from now the message of God will be in the hands of these men. Did they get it? Were they ready? Did they get what Jesus was saying and what was about to happen? Well, maybe not at first. When Jesus said this I am sure that they all at first nodded as if to say they got it only to turn their head and shrug their shoulders in the next moment asking the guy next to them if they knew what He was talking about. Soon we will see them scatter not knowing what to do next as they watch Jesus literally give them the visual and very real example of these verses, v. 25-6.

But, we must not be too hard on them. They all will eventually get it. All of the disciples except John and Judas will follow their Master’s example and die the death of a martyr, sowing the seed of their life for the Kingdom.  The only exceptions to this were Judas, who was not a follower of Jesus at all, and the Apostle John who was sentenced to isolation on the Isle of Patmos, losing his life in a different way. They too would pass on the example of their Master of the seed sown, dying to itself, again passing Jesus’ example on to His followers that would come even after them. And…this Kingdom principle and its real and practical example continue to this day.

But, in v. 26 He tells them of another important principle that will be essential if they are to succeed in their mission. He tells them that in order to succeed they will need to continue to follow Him, even when He has left them. Soon to come in John’s Gospel Jesus will expound on this reminding them that they will continue to be intimately connected to Him even though He has physically left them, John 14:1-6. In John chapter 15 He will give them further instruction concerning what He shared with them here in chapter 12 telling them that to do His will they will need to continue to abide in Him. He tells them in v. 26 that they must not only follow Him in his teachings and example, but must also be looking for Him as He works in this world and that they must come and join Him in what He is doing.

Henry Blackaby highlighted this principle in his work ‘Experiencing God’ where the main admonition of his book was that we should be actively looking for where God is at work and then to go and join Him in that work. In v. 26 Jesus says that “where I am, there shall also my servant be”. Sometimes I think that we get it backwards. We are often found asking God to join us where we are and in what we are doing. This is not what He tells His followers in v. 26. His message and admonition to them was to look for Him at work and then to be found there ourselves working with Him.

The only way to succeed in the task given to them would be to work the works of God joining God in His labor. He tells them that even with what is about to happen that God will continue to be at work and if they want to be a part of what He is doing they will have to be intentionally looking for Him doing the work of the Kingdom joining Him.  Success would not be found in fast talk, or flashy marketing, good salesmanship or stage presence or in their plans alone. It would also not be found in organization or in programs or in the so called great plans of man or in things such as politics alone, as important as these things may be. 

But, success would be found in working the works of Jesus, the works of God. This is what we find happened in the beginning of the Church, the Church being founded on the principle of vs. 25-6 performing His works as portrayed  in the events of the book of Acts. The early Church carried on the traditions of Christ following His example, doing His works. At the end of v. 26 He reminds them that the Father is mindful of their good deeds telling them that the Father does take notice and will honor those that serve Him.