Read John 12:21-26

When Andrew and Philip relay the message to Jesus that these Greeks would like to meet with Him, Jesus doesn’t respond directly to His disciples but instead announces that after a lifetime of preparation and three years of intense ministry with these disciples, the time has finally come for Him to give His life in sacrifice for the “whole world”.

They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. John 12:21-23 NIV

While Jesus fully understood what He meant for the Son of Man to be “glorified”, it was unlikely that those listening understood that this meant He would be arrested, tortured, and crucified. The crowds would have believed that the Son of Man (Messiah) would be glorified by being placed on the throne of Israel after forcing the Romans out of the country.

Jesus elaborates on exactly what He means by the idea of the Son of Man being glorified and what it will mean to truly follow Him. The Son of Man will be glorified through sacrifice rather than exultation. Those who wish to follow Him must offer in kind.

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me. John 12:23-24-26 NIV

Jesus has now entered Jerusalem and has set in motion His last days on the earth. The Greeks want to see Jesus, but will they follow Him? The crowds want to get close to Jesus, but will they follow Him? The religious leaders want to find Jesus but to silence Him. It seems everyone is interested in Jesus-but on their own terms.

Jesus didn’t come to be a curiosity or a subject for heated debate, He came to save the world by laying down His life on the cross. Those who truly desire to follow Him must lay down their lives as well and walk in service with Him.

Questions to consider:
Why do we desire to talk to Jesus today? To hear Him speak or to speak to Him?
In what ways has following Jesus changed our future? What have we sacrificed, what have we laid down to follow and serve Him?
Ask God today to give you a true desire to know Him and follow Him with all your heart.