John 12:20–36 (ESV)
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose 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 that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.
The hour had finally arrived. It was time, 7 pm to be exact, the time that my wedding ceremony started, the time that changed my life forever (and for the better, I might add, as I certainly married up). It seemed as if I had been waiting for a long time, but in just a few moments, when we each said, “I do”, everything changed.
You may remember that there were a couple of times in John’s Gospel that spoke of an hour. In 2:4 Jesus told Mary that His hour had not yet come. In 7:30 we’re told that Jesus was not arrested because His hour had not yet come.
However here, we’re told that it’s time, the hour has come.
It’s the time of Jesus crucifixion. It’s the time when the word and its evils will be exposed for what they are, the time when the ruler of the world, the satan, will be utterly defeated, the time when Jesus will draw everyone unto Himself.
Everyone is invited, that’s the hint of the picture we get here when the Greeks come seeking Jesus. Remember that the fear of the religious leaders was that the whole world was going to Jesus (12:19) and we get a taste of it in this passage.
As the great saint Athanasius noted, “As he [Jesus] spread out his hands on the cross, he drew the ancient people of the old covenant with one hand and the Gentiles of the new covenant with the other, uniting them in himself.”
It will all look like a failure, like a tragedy, but it will be a massive triumph as God’s love will be on full display for all to see. And God will be glorified twice over. First through the life that Jesus has lived in His incredible obedience and then again as Jesus obediently takes up the cross.
In Jesus' death and resurrection, the kingdom of the world will be overthrown, and the kingdom of God will grow and flourish.
Then Jesus gives one more invitation for the people to turn and believe in verse 36, “Please believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
It’s an appeal to trust Him.
It’s an appeal that is still on offer today; to become sons and daughters of the Light in the Family of Light (God’s children as we trust Jesus -- Dale Bruner).
What’s your reply to Jesus’ invitation?
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott