John 12:17-41

Note the context of this passage.  First there were many present because of the raising of Lazarus (v17f).  Many were moved by what had happened, including many of the rulers (v42f).  Second there were “certain Greeks” desiring to see Jesus (v20ff).  

What is interesting is that we are not told that Jesus met with them.  Rather the announcement of their interest led Jesus to conclude, finally, that “The hour has come”.  Several times in John’s Gospel Jesus says that His hour has not come (2:4; 7:6; 8:20).  But perhaps the interest of these Gentiles is the means by which the Father communicates His will to the Son.  

The hour He speaks of is the time when He, the Son of Man, should be glorified (v23).  It is the very hour for which Christ came to earth (v27).  Certainly this hour has to do with His death, the grain of wheat falling into the ground (v24).  But as Phil. 2:5-11 indicates, the death on the cross completes the humility of the Savior; His resurrection begins His exaltation.  As we have noted before, death must occur for there to be resurrection.  The seed, being buried, is a picture of death.  But that is not the end of the seed.  The seed produces much grain; it lives again in every grain of wheat it produces.  As we saw earlier (Day 6) the death of Christ is the pattern for all who would follow Him.  He reminds us of this here (V25-26).

But this passage says something more to us if we will hear it.  The certainty that the hour of Christ will result in His glory is confirmed by the Father when, for the third time in Jesus’ earthly ministry (His baptism, the transfiguration) the Father speaks from heaven (v28-33).  This assured those who heard it that, as the seed that dies and yet bears fruit, so Christ will die and yet draw all to Himself (v32-33).  In other words it is made abundantly clear: Jesus will die, and He will die on a cross, lifted up.

This clear announcement of Jesus’ death leads many to question Him.  The Messiah is to live forever; how can you say He must be lifted up (v34)?  Jesus’ answer to them is to call them to trust Him, to believe in “the light” that they might become sons of light.  If they walk in His light, what will be the result?  They will eventually understand: as Messiah He must die to draw men to Himself; but He will live forever by His resurrection from the dead.

The sad and hard truth is that with few exceptions they did not believe in Him.  In v37-41 John quotes Isaiah (53:1; 6:9-10) in explaining Israel’s blindness with respect to Christ.  And yet in it all we see the plan of God.  Israel’s rejection of Messiah results in His death; His death results in His glorification.  In this many are drawn to Him, not only from Israel but from among the Gentiles as well.  

To believe in Jesus is to walk in the light of His glory.  To reject Jesus is to walk in unbelief, to be blind to the truth.  The Father has glorified the Son!