Today's Scripture
Redefining My Dream John 12:20-26
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
RJ's Devotion
What Does the Passage Say?
V. 20-21 ‘Some Greeks’ came to the disciples, wishing to meet Jesus.
V. 22-26 Jesus’ answer is somewhat mindboggling. Instead of answering directly, not even indicating if he had met with the Greek, he talks about how sacrifice is required.
What Does the passage Mean to Me/US?
In the time of Jesus, meeting Gentiles (non-Jewish people) was an act to be condemned.
These Greeks, however, wanted to see if Jesus would meet with them. The Bible doesn’t indicate if Jesus met with them.
Although, we need to understand what Jesus meant in his answer.
When God first called Abraham, in Genesis 12:1-3, God says how Abraham’s call will be a blessing to ‘All Nations.’
The Jewish culture, however, was limited only to the Jews, observed the Jewish law.
Jesus constantly says that he came to complete the law, not abolish it.
To complete the law, it required his sacrifice on the cross. Jesus, as a Pascal Lamb, becomes the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill the covenant.
And Jesus calls us to follow him. Only when we follow the sacrificial love of Jesus, we will see God’s plan become fulfilled.
“25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.”
Prayer
Lord, thank you for your love and sacrifice. Help us to follow your ways, to become a blessing to this dark world. In Christ Name, we pray, AMEN.
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