A KERNEL OF WHEAT

Passage: John 12:20-36

Key verse: 24

NIV

Jesus Predicts His Death

20 Now there were some Greeks(A) among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida(B) in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour(C) has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.(D) 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,(E) it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it(F) for eternal life.(G) 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.(H) My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled,(I) and what shall I say? ‘Father,(J) save me from this hour’?(K) No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven,(L) “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit,(M) not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world;(N) now the prince of this world(O) will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth,(P) will draw all people to myself.”(Q) 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.(R)

34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law(S) that the Messiah will remain forever,(T) so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man(U) must be lifted up’?(V) Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light(W) just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light,(X) before darkness overtakes you.(Y) Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”(Z) When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.(AA)

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Footnotes
  1. John 12:32 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Some Greeks Seek Jesus

20 Now (A)among those who went up to worship at the feast were some (B)Greeks. 21 So these came to (C)Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told (D)Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, (E)“The hour has come (F)for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, (G)unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 (H)Whoever loves his life loses it, and (I)whoever (J)hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must (K)follow me; and (L)where I am, there will my servant be also. (M)If anyone serves me, (N)the Father will honor him.

The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up

27 (O)“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, (P)save me from (Q)this hour’? But (R)for this purpose I have come to (S)this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then (T)a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, (U)“An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, (V)“This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 (W)Now is the judgment of this world; now will (X)the ruler of this world (Y)be cast out. 32 And I, (Z)when I am lifted up from the earth, (AA)will draw (AB)all people to myself.” 33 He said this (AC)to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that (AD)the Christ remains forever. How can you say that (AE)the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, (AF)“The light is among you (AG)for a little while longer. (AH)Walk while you have the light, lest darkness (AI)overtake you. (AJ)The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become (AK)sons of light.”

The Unbelief of the People

When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Like a kernel of wheat, our lives hold enormous potential. No matter how much we hide or protect our true selves or cultivate an image of impressiveness on the outside, we remain a single seed. But, if we shed the protective layers and allow what is inside to blossom, we can truly live, grow, and bear fruit.

Jesus set the example of this courage. Jesus did not save himself, but he fully entrusted his life in God’s hands, living by faith. Jesus gave his life on the cross so that the cross of shame would become a symbol of salvation for all. Jesus’ life did not end in the grave or a memory but in resurrection glory. He is the light of the world.

No matter where you are in life, young or old, we must be in the process of becoming and blossoming. Fight against the comforts of our current shells and the fear of being exposed. We can do this when we trust in the love and power of God. We realize we are children of light.

Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to live a life of courage and bear fruits of your love. I trust in your life-giving power.

One Word: A child of light.