John 12:20-33
Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
After Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, some Gentiles come to worship at the feast, and ask to see Jesus. Here is another indication that Jesus’ mission and salvation is not only for the Jews but for all nations.
Jesus says that the time has come for him to be glorified and says that will happen through his death. Like a seed that is planted and brings forth a harvest, through his death Jesus will bring many sons and daughters to glory (Hebrews 2:10). Then Jesus asks the Father to glorify his name. The Father’s name will be glorified by Jesus’ perfect submission to the Father’s will. The Father has glorified his name by speaking of his love for his Son at his baptism (Mark 1:11) and at his transfiguration (Mark 9:7) and will glorify his Son by his perfect obedience and death on a cross (Philippians 2:8-9).
Jesus will be lifted up on a cross, and will draw to himself all his people by his death. Are you one of them? Praise the Savior who by his obedience glorified his Father and gathered in his flock!
O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As thou hast promised, draw men unto thee.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore his sacred name. (George Kitchen)