“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. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” – John 12:20-23
It was an odd answer to a regular question.
Question: We would see Jesus.
Answer: I am going to die.
It would be like someone asking to see you and the answer would be “go to the funeral home” while you were still standing there with them.
A key to Jesus’ answer, I believe, is found John 12:19, “So the Pharisees said to one another…. Look, the world has gone after him.’” And now, the world is represented by several Greeks desiring to see Him (John 12:20).
It was a seeking that both illustrated the Pharisee’s concern and foreshadowed the hope of all mankind.
And that is what Jesus saw: not just a few men looking for Him, but the nations of the all the world seeking Him. It was the world that the Father so loved, and the world He was sent to die for. Hence, “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’” (John 12:23-24 ESV).
Yes, the those few Greeks who asked that day would see Jesus, but not in the way they ever imagined. The middle wall of partition that kept them out from the commonwealth of Israel was on the eve of breaking down. Much fruit would ultimately be born among them. And Jesus sees in the present what the Greeks would soon see in the future: Him hanging on the cross.
Hence His continued response, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 ESV, emphasis mine).
Don’t just look to Jesus today, be drawn to Him. Don’t just see Jesus, experience Him.
Let His death bring new life, new hope, and new peace to you—in Jesus’ Name.
