Bad News
John 12:12-33
"I tell you the truth, 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."
(JOHN 12:24)
I like good news. I'm guessing you, too, would prefer it over bad. But sometimes, we have to go on a dark journey to get to the light at the end of a story. The period before Easter Sunday confirms that.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem in what we might call a hero's parade. The crowd went wild, hailing Him as Israel's King, the One who'd come to rescue them from their troubles. From all external appearances, it seemed there was great cause to celebrate.
Until Jesus opened His mouth. Almost as soon as He arrived, He started talking of what some interpreted as bad news. The time for the Son of Man had come to be glorified, He said, and that surely would mean death. He had to fall into the ground; the single seed of God's truth was to die, and it didn't seem like good news. John wrote that even Jesus was troubled.
Yet He knew what would happen at the end of the story. And that is where He kept His focus, regardless of what He was to endure. Praise God that we know the end of the story, too!
About the writer:
Jo Kadlecek is a faculty member teaching creative writing and a senior writer for Gordon College in Wenham, MA. She has authored numerous feature stories, articles, interviews, and books, including "A Desperate Faith: Lessons on Hope from the Resurrection" published in 2010, from which this month's Anchor is taken. She and her husband, Chris Gilbert, are leaders in and part of a church plant in West Peabody, MA.
INSIGHT
WHAT IS GOD'S PURPOSE FOR YOU TODAY, AND HOW CAN THAT TRUTH SHARPEN YOUR FOCUS?
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Deuteronomy 23-24
Psalm 91
Acts 15
John 12:12-33
Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
"Praise God![a]
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!"[b]
14 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
15 "Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem.[c]
Look, your King is coming,
riding on a donkey’s colt."[d]
16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others[e] about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, "There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone[f] has gone after him!"
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, "Sir, we want to meet Jesus." 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, "Now the time has come for the Son of Man[g] to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 "Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name."
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, "I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again." 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, "The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
Footnotes:
a. John 12:13 Greek Hosanna, an exclamation of praise adapted from a Hebrew expression that means "save now."
b. John 12:13 Ps 118:25-26; Zeph 3:15.
c. John 12:15 Greek daughter of Zion.
d. John 12:15 Zech 9:9.
e. John 12:17 Greek were testifying.
f. John 12:19 Greek the world.
g. John 12:23 "Son of Man" is a title Jesus used for himself.
BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE
with Laura Story
Every major world religion recognizes the need for inner peace in the midst of a chaotic world, but the answer Jesus gives is very different from the rest. What is so different about what Jesus says?
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