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More John commentaries
John 9:1-12
Contentment in Any Circumstance
John 9:13-23
Trouble with the Jewish Leaders
John 9:24-41
The Testimony of the Healed Man
John 10:11-21
The Good Shephard Knows His Sheep
John 10:22-42
Rejected by the Religious Leaders
John 11:1-16
News of Lazarus’ Death
John 11:17-30
Jesus Arrives at Mary and Martha’s House
John 11:31-44
Jesus Calls Lazarus Forth from the Grave
John 11:45-57
Jesus Withdraws to Ephraim
John 12:1-11
Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet
John 12:12-19
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem
John 12:20-36
Jesus uses an illustration of the Seed
John 12:37-50
Hardened Hearts and the Fear of Man
John 13:1-11
Humbleness, Holiness and Happiness
John 13:12-20
Happiness Comes by Service Others
John 13:21-30
Jesus Prediction of His Betrayal
John 13:31-38
Christ’s Farewell Sermon to His Disciples
John 14:1-12
Jesus Encourages the Troubled Disciples
John 14:13-14
The Measure, Means, and Might of Prayer
John 14:15-21
The Holy Spirit’s Dwelling in Believers
John 14:22-31
The Disciple’s Question
John 15:1-10
The Pruning Process
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Jesus uses an illustration of the Seed
John 12:20–36
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
General William Booth was once asked to reveal the secret of his success. After some hesitation, tears came to his eyes and he said, “I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I have, men with greater opportunit … More
The attention is now turned from the Jews to the Greeks as a group of them approach Philip and ask for an interview with Christ (vv. 20-21). It is thought that these Greeks were wanderers of the ancient world that came to the Jewish feast seeking truth. Philip went to Andrew and they both approached Jesus (v.22). Since crowds of people probably wanted to speak with Jesus, the disciples may have tried to do some screening. There is no record that Jesus even talked with these men, but the message that He gave in response contains truth that all of us need.
Jesus used a seed to illustrate the great spiritual truth that there can be no glory without suffering, no fruitful life without death and no victory without surrender (vv. 23-24). A seed is weak and useless, but when it is planted, it “dies” and becomes fruitful. If a seed could talk, perhaps it would complain about being put into the cold, dark earth, but the only way it can produce fruit is by being planted. As God’s children we are also like seeds that have life. However, that life can never produce fruit unless we yield ourselves to Him and allow Him to “plant us” (vv. 25-26). We must die to self so that we may live unto God (Galatians 2:20). Jesus explains how he came into this world to suffer and to die for the sins of this world (vv. 27-33). The people heard but did not understand what He was teaching. The Jews were puzzled that He was talking about death. They were sure that their Messiah would not die (v. 34). Jesus explained how He was “the light” and he would only be with them a short time (v. 35). They should walk in the light while there is still time so they won’t be walking blindly in the dark (v. 36). After Jesus said these things He left and went into hiding.
Application
What does it mean when it says we need to lose our life? What area of life is God calling me to surrender? What is hardest about giving up this area of my life? If I am going to live for Christ, I must die to my selfish desires.
John 12:20-36 (English Standard Version)
Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 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. "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. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 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?" 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. 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.
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