Gospel of St. John
Sought by Gentiles – 12:20-36
Jesus’ crucifixion is less than a week away and we are seeing many prophecies fulfilled as he approaches the end of his ministry on Earth. The raising of Lazarus identified Jesus as the Son of God. The joyful entry into Jerusalem identified him as the Son of David. To be the Son of Man, he needs to be glorified by the Gentiles.
“And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.” Even the Pharisees (in the 19th verse) said the world is gone after Christ. In verse 20 we see Gentiles approaching Philip to see Jesus. Jesus was teaching in the Temple and the Gentiles were not allowed into the inner rooms. They came to Philip because he was from the same area of Galilee which is close to Syro-Phoenicia. They wanted more than to hear him or see a miracle. They wanted an opportunity to know him. They could have but did not send the Gentiles away. They were aware that He was about to be “a light to lighten the Gentiles” as well as “the glory of his people Israel.”
“And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name.” It is not likely that Jesus actually met with the Gentiles. They needed to learn to see him as “the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of ht world” as opposed to the Messiah of Israel. Jesus finally acknowledged that the hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified. He was glorified by the homage of the Gentiles, but more importantly, God was about to be glorified by his sacrifice. Jesus referred to the nature of creation in his analogy with the wheat. A kernel that does not die in the ground does not produce new fruit. To follow Him, we must be willing to give up this life for the fruit of the next. Jesus will give up his life as a sacrifice for our sins and as an example of the unavoidable nature of creation. Jesus admitted his soul was troubled but refused to say, Father, save me from this hour. This is why He came to this hour.
“Then came a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of their world be cast out. And I, If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.” This is the third time God has spoken in the presence of Jesus. The first was as the Holy Spirit descended upon Him at his baptism. The second was at the Transfiguration with Peter, John and James. This one acknowledged glorification from Lazarus’ restoration and a promise to glorify again in reference to Christ’s resurrection. Jesus said Satan’s hold over this world will be broken at the Cross, but implied it would be a gradual process. The people were confused that Jesus would need to be lifted up. They learned from the Law that Christ would abide forever. Jesus reminded them that the light would remain with them for a little while and they should learn to walk in the light that they might believe in the light and become children of the light.
Christ’s Ministry Reviewed – 12:37-50
Christ’s public ministry is coming to a close and John gives us a resume of his miracles and teaching. What we have seen is what appears to be a failure of Christ’s public ministry. What we will see is that the guilt of unbelief rests inexcusably upon Israel.
“But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Isaiah said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” Jesus’ miracles were incredible. He healed the sick, expelled demons, controlled the winds, walked on the sea, turned water into wine, revealed to men their secret thoughts, and raised the dead. His teachings showed how his actions fulfilled the prophecies. And yet, the great majority of His countrymen refused to acknowledge His claims. If the actual hearers of Christ did not believe, why should we expect to find belief today?
The Jews fulfilled the predictions of Isaiah ignorantly and unwittingly. The report that was not believed was Christ’s oral ministry. The arm of the Lord refers to His miracles. Neither one was believed by the Jewish leadership. Isaiah said God hardened their hearts and blinded their eyes. But, their unbelief was not due to God’s actions. God’s actions were the result of their unbelief. First they did not believe and then they could not believe.
Many of the chief rulers also believed on Jesus; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. It is still the same today. There are two classes of unbelievers. Some are totally unmoved by the works and teachings of Christ. The others are impressed but fail to yield their hearts to the Saviour. The fear of man and loving the praise of men holds them back. They prefer the good will of other sinners above the approval of God. We are reminded the faith that does not confess Christ is not a “saving” faith.
“Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” These verses are a summary of the teachings of Christ. No man had seen God at any time, but the only begotten Son had come here to “declare” Him. Seeing Christ was as close to seeing God as we will get in this world. As stated so beautifully in the first 14 verses of this Gospel, Jesus came as a light so that men should not abide in darkness. He came not to judge the world – at least not this time. He came to save the world and by showing what was required to be saved, he declared a standard by which men would convict themselves. There will be a last day. It will be a day of judgment. And Christ’s word will be the standard by which all will be judged.
This chapter ends with Jesus confessing his dedication to the will and purpose of God. Whether the Jews believed them or not, the messages which Christ had delivered were divinely true, and therefore words of life to all who receive them by simple faith. Christ added nothing to God’s commandment. And He took nothing away. He lived his live as we should – in total observance of God’s will. In the next chapters, we will observe the private teachings of Jesus with his disciples.
The Books of the Bible
Old Testament
Genesis Prior to Abraham.
The stories prior to Abraham are different than the Old Testament from that point on. The Jews were less concerned with how something happened than why it happened. Thus many believe that they fabricated these early stories to illustrate the principles by which we should live.
Genesis From Abraham forward.
These stories are considered part of the historical documentation of the Jews. These were maintained in verbal form for generations before being committed to writing.
Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy
These books complete the “Books of Moses” or Pentateuch
Joshua and following 33 books
These books tell the story of the Jews in the promised land.
Isaiah through Malachi
These are the prophetic books of the Old Testament.
The Apocrypha
Fifteen books considered edifying for study but not necessarily inspired by the Holy Spirit.
New Testament
Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
Epistles of Paul Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians,
Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus & Philemon
Pastoral Epistles Hebrews, James, Peter, John & Jude
Revelation of Jesus Christ to St. John.