A Grain of Wheat and the Truth

Posted by Yong Joo Park on 12 August 2024 in 1 Corinthians, 1 John, 1 Timothy, John, Matthew, The Book of Romans | ∞

John 12:20–33 (NKJV)

²⁰Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. ²¹Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

²²Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

The Messiah Teaches

²³But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. ²⁴Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. ²⁵He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

²⁷“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ²⁸Father, glorify Your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

²⁹Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

³⁰Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. ³¹Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. ³²And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” ³³This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

Message

I. The Parable of a Grain of Wheat (20-26)

See v20-21

Jesus ministered mainly for the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:5-6, 15:24). But His name was heard by the Gentiles as He performed powerful signs and preached the words of eternal life. Finally, certain Greeks came to see Jesus. See v22.

²²Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

Andrew was a helpful disciple and assisted Philip twice (22, John 6:5-9). See v23-26.

At this point when the Gentile Greeks came to see Jesus, Jesus declared that ‘the hour’ had come that the Son of Man should be glorified (23). Related to His glorification (the sacrifice and the resurrection) He taught a lesson. He used a grain of wheat for His metaphor. The shell of grain should be processed by moisture and air in the soil and die, then the life inside the grain sprouts, grows and becomes a large plant or tree, producing much grain. If it does not die, it remains alone (24). He who loves life, that is, who doesn’t want to sacrifice (=die), will lose it. And he who hates his life in this world, that is, who sacrifices (=die) in this world will keep it for eternal life (25).

When we serve Jesus, we should follow His love and sacrifice (26^a). If we see the Lord’s servant in a place such as a hospital or a prison, we know Jesus must be there! (26^b). Jesus often chose to go to help outcasts or the most hopeless (See John 5:3, 5, 6) because Jesus cares for anyone like them as if that person were Himself (Matthew 25:35-40 NLT, Matthew 25:42-46 NLT). There is the promise of ‘honor’ from the Father to anyone who serves Jesus (26^c).

Practical Real-Life Example:

Imagine a farmer who has a single grain of wheat. If he keeps it in a jar, it will remain just one grain. However, if he plants it in the soil, the grain will “die” (24), sprout, grow, and eventually produce a whole crop of wheat, yielding many more grains. This process of planting and growth requires patience and trust in the process.

Practical Guidance for Real Life:

Embrace Sacrifice for Greater Good: Just as the grain of wheat must die to produce much fruit, we are called to let go of our selfish desires and ambitions. This might mean sacrificing our time, resources, or comfort to serve others and follow Jesus’ teachings. In doing so, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those around us and contribute to a greater good.
Trust the Process: Like the farmer who trusts that the grain will grow, we need to have faith in the process of spiritual growth. This involves trusting that our sacrifices and efforts will bear fruit in due time, even if we don’t see immediate results.
Serve with Love and Humility: Serving Jesus means following His example of love and sacrifice. This can be practiced in everyday life by helping those in need, showing kindness to others, and putting others’ needs before our own. When we serve with a genuine heart, we reflect Jesus’ love and bring honor to God.
Seek Eternal Perspective: Jesus teaches that those who love their life will lose it, but those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. This means prioritizing spiritual values over worldly gains. By focusing on eternal life and God’s promises, we can find true fulfillment and purpose.
Recognize God’s Presence in Service: When we serve others, we are serving Jesus. Look for opportunities to serve in your community, church, or workplace. Remember that in serving others, you are also honoring God, and He promises to honor those who serve Him.

By applying these principles, we can live a life that is fruitful and aligned with Jesus’ teachings, just like the grain of wheat that produces much grain when it falls into the ground and dies.

II. His Glorification, the Judgment of this world, and drawing all to Himself (27-33)

See v27-28.

²⁷“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ²⁸Father, glorify Your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

His hour has come (see v23). Before the sacrifice, His soul was troubled. But Jesus is not asking the Father to save Him from this hour because He came to this hour on purpose. In v23, the hour is when the Son of Man should be ‘glorified’ even though it starts with the ‘sacrifice’ on the cross. However, the shame and pain on the cross will be followed by the glorious resurrection. The glory is so great so that the sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory (See Romans 8:18). So, the 'sacrifice’ and the 'resurrection’ were indicated by Jesus with one word, the 'glorification’.

V28^a shows that Jesus was not escaping from this hour but going to glorify the name of the Father. So, He prayed, “Father, glorify Your name.” (28^a)

God answered via a voice from heaven (28^b). “I have glorified it.” may indicate the resurrection of Lazarus after his four-day death. “I will glorify it again.” may indicate the resurrection of Jesus after His crucifixion. See v29-33.

²⁹Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

The prayer of Jesus (28^a) was responded to by a voice from heaven that could be heard by the people who stood by (28^b, 29). Jesus explains that the voice came for our sake. The resurrection is an important event and it glorifies the Father. But the resurrection comes after the cross. No cross, no glory. But the sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory (Romans 8:18). His hour of glorifying the Father is now (23) and now is the judgment of this world (31^a). Now the ruler of this world will be cast out (31^b). So, the children of God will be protected from him in the kingdom of God but the world around us is under the control of the evil one (See 1 John 5:19 NLT). The crucified Christ will draw all people to Himself (32, See 1 Timothy 2:4, 1 Corinthians 15:25, 27).

Practical Guidance for Real Life:

Embrace Your Purpose: Just as Jesus accepted His purpose despite the suffering it entailed, we should seek to understand and embrace our own purpose of life in God. This might involve facing challenges and making sacrifices, but knowing that we are fulfilling our purpose can give us strength and determination.
Trust in God’s Plan: Jesus did not ask to be saved from His hour of suffering because He trusted in God’s plan. In our own lives, we may face difficult situations, but trusting that God has a greater plan for us can provide comfort and hope. Remember that even in times of trouble, God is working for our good.
Seek to Glorify God: Jesus’ prayer was for God’s name to be glorified (28). In our daily lives, we can seek to glorify God through our actions, words, and attitudes. This might involve showing kindness, helping others, and living with integrity. By doing so, we reflect God’s love and bring honor to His name.
Understand the Power of Sacrifice: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was followed by His glorious resurrection. This teaches us that sacrifice often leads to greater rewards. In our own lives, making sacrifices for the sake of others or for a greater cause can lead to personal growth, fulfillment, and blessings.
Recognize the Importance of the Cross: Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are central to the Christian faith. Understanding the significance of the cross can deepen our faith and commitment. It reminds us that suffering and sacrifice are part of the journey, but they lead to ultimate victory and glory.
Live with an Eternal Perspective: Jesus spoke of drawing all people to Himself through His crucifixion (32). This reminds us to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on the spiritual and eternal implications of our actions. By keeping our eyes on eternity, we can navigate life’s challenges with hope and purpose.