(Study Outline sourced from “The System Bible Study” – “The Book of Life” [Zondervan])
4. The Greeks Desire To See Jesus – The Promise to Draw All People To Himself Through The Cross
Some Greeks who were among the people that came to worship at the Temple requested of Philip that they would like to see Jesus. Nothing is recorded as to their reason to see Him or what they wanted from Him. There is no record here as to whether or not Jesus granted their request. Our Lord does, however, give another prediction of His death, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified….” and compares His death and the results of His death to the growth of a seed of wheat – the seed falls to the ground, dies, grows, becomes a plant, then produces many more seeds. . Our Lord Jesus does say however, in reference to Jew, Greek, and Gentile persons, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” because He knew that this was the whole purpose of His death, acknowledging that “..it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” .
After indicating that He was agonizing over His coming death on the cross, and that He was not suggesting that His Father save Him from such a death, he requested, “Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” , and upon His Father’s response from heaven explains to the people “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.” ,our Lord Jesus knew what His mission involved and He would fulfill His Father’s wish to the very end .
“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.” . Here we see that the death of Christ on the cross would be God’s judgment upon a sinful world, and although the “prince of this world – Satan” would appear to have triumphed, it was his doom – his judgment was sealed. “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” , in this we see that our Lord Jesus declares that although Satan’s judgment is inevitable, all people would be drawn to Himself as a result of the cross, and would have the opportunity to escape God’s coming judgment for their sins, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” . This teaching caused some confusion in the minds of the people as they could not understand why Messiah, who was to live and reign forever, was destined to die on a cross , “Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” they asked. Our lord’s reply was “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you.” which was the theme of John’s opening remarks as he began to record his gospel <see Jn.1:1-9> and our Lord alludes to this when He further states “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” ; the result of this teaching however was that “Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.” , and John records that this was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah .
John further records that “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.” . “Isaiah spoke primarily of the glory of God . John spoke of the glory of Jesus and made no basic distinction between the two, attesting Jesus’ oneness with God. Isaiah foresaw the rejection of Christ ..This is the cross and this is glory, for the cross and resurrection and exaltation portray both suffering and healing, rejection and triumph, humiliation and glory.” [NIV Study Bible]. John also states “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” and unfortunately this is the same in our present time, many may believe but because they prefer the admiration and praise of their peers they will not confess their faith in Christ .
Our Lord then states that belief in Him also constitutes belief in His Father and is brought from the darkness of sin into the light of His glorious gospel , but it will be unfortunate for those who refuse to believe and confess their faith in Him. Although judgment would not be pronounced immediately it will be inevitable for all who reject His salvation that He came to offer. He would not be their judge, the judge will be His Words that have been spoken and recorded in the Scriptures. “As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.” . Our Lord Jesus performed the will of His Father to the very end of His mission on earth, “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” . All people, therefore, have a great responsibility, for to reject the Words of Jesus Christ is to reject the Words of God Himself! Our Lord thus fulfilled His Father’s command as He completed the work of His first coming to this earth, .
(Continued….)