John – Chapter 12:23-50
The kernel of wheat, Jesus, has fallen to the ground and raised up a rich harvest in the Church. Here at the altar, God kills our sinful flesh and then honors us with peace of the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. 12:23 “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified” – Now is the decisive transition (c.f. 6:62; 7:33; 8:21). The Gospel is the revelation of God’s glory in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Glory “in the flesh” is John’s grand theme (1:14; 2:11; 11:4; 11:46), with the Son of man descended from heaven (1:51; 5:27; 6:27; 9:35f). This moment is a distinct shift, fulfilling the statement in 3:13: “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven…” v. 24 “A grain of wheat” – This image is also used in 1 Cor 15:36ff for resurrection following death. The scandal to human reason is that Jesus’ death as the Christ is the condition for his glorification as Son of man. Paradoxically, Jesus gives His life for many that the many by His death receive eternal life (e.g., 6:51-61ff; 10:15-18; 15:13). v. 25-26 “He who loves his life will lose it” – Jesus again uses two antithetical parallel statements with paradox and hyperbole. Death is the condition for new life! To love life now is to lose the true life that comes through Christ. The “hate” Jesus speaks of is that of self denial (cf. Lk 14:26), a willingness to give up even that which is objectively valuable and in another context should be loved. Then Jesus describes discipleship as servanthood, that is, taking up the work that Jesus accomplishes through His students (cf. 13:13, 16; 15:15, 20). Discipleship is self-denial and a death of sorts, sacrificing oneself for the sake of the Lord (cf. 15:18ff; 16:1ff; 17:14; 1 John 3:13). While it does not always the risk of suffering and death, yet we follow Jesus in the way of the cross, that is, in His suffering and death. v. 27-28a “My soul is troubled” – Here is another profound confession of Jesus’ humanity and the dread darkness that is set before Him. And Jesus is confessing His own Word (see Psalm 6:3-5; 42:5-6). While the Psalmist’s question is the appropriate plea, Jesus firmly asserts, “But for this purpose…” We can pray, “Father, save me from…