Recap
of 9/2/12 (John 12:20 -27):
1. John 12:20-50 records the end of Jesus’
public ministry. This is the last
teaching He will conduct among the masses.
Chapters 13-17 deal with Jesus’ teaching for His disciples called the
“Upper Room Discourse,” and chapters 18 to the end of the book deal with the
crucifixion, the resurrection and the post-resurrection appearances to His
disciples.
2. As if to illustrate the hyperbolic statement
of vs. 19 about the whole world going after Jesus, John mentions some Greeks
who desired an audience with Jesus.
These Greek were probably “God-fearers,” those who liked the morality
and monotheism of the Jews but did not go all the way to conversion to Judaism.
3. Jesus realizes that His “hour” has arrived,
the hour of His passion, His rejection, scourging, crucifixion and
resurrection. His death was a necessity
if there was to be a harvest of salvation.
He would willingly sacrifice His life (as our substitute) to secure
eternal life for those who trusted Him. He gave His life so that others might
gain real life.
4. His sacrifice also would provide a pattern
for His disciples to follow of living sacrificially, placing others above
themselves
5. The thought of His coming travail troubles
Him, as later it would in the Garden
of Gethsemane 5:19 -21)
