John 12:20-36 Outline

John 12:20–36 ESV

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.

The Hour Has Come: Embracing God's Divine Timing

Bible Passage: John 12:20–36

Summary: In John 12:20-36, Jesus anticipates His impending crucifixion, stating that 'the hour has come' for Him to be glorified. This passage tells of Greeks seeking Jesus and focuses on His teaching about the necessity of His sacrifice, the power of faith, and the significance of following Him amidst darkness.

Application: This message encourages Christians to understand that God's timing is perfect, even in moments of uncertainty or suffering. It reminds believers to align their lives with Christ’s example of submitting to God's will, which can be a source of strength during trials.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that accepting God’s timing involves recognizing the sacredness of life’s moments and responding faithfully to God’s call, which looks different for each believer. It encourages the community to lift their voices in worship while living transparently and courageously in the world.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme emphasizes Christ's role as the sacrificial Lamb. His hour represents not only His suffering and death but also the unfolding of God's salvation plan that connects to the Old Testament prophetic revelations about the Messiah, thus affirming that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises.

Big Idea: God’s divine timing is essential for our understanding of faith, calling us to embrace our own moments of surrender and trust, as modeled by Christ.

Recommended Study: Consider diving into the background of the Greek seeking Jesus in this passage and what this implies about the expanding community of faith. Explore the context of 'the hour' within the Gospel narrative and its Old Testament allusions using your Logos library to trace the theme of divine timing throughout Scripture, including key cross-references that highlight how this moment fulfills Jesus’s mission.

1. Seeking God's Timing

John 12:20-26

Perhaps, in this section, you could highlight how the Greeks seeking Jesus symbolizes the widening scope of God’s salvation plan. The request for an audience with Jesus introduces 'the hour' as now present, pointing to a climactic moment in salvation history. Here, Jesus speaks of the necessity of dying like a grain of wheat to bear much fruit, teaching us about self-sacrifice and surrender. In practical terms, believers are called to trust in divine timing, surrender personal desires, and bear spiritual fruit through selflessness.

2. Striving in Prayer

John 12:27-30

In these verses, perhaps you will draw attention to Jesus’ troubled heart as He faces His forthcoming sacrifice. Yet, His resolve to glorify the Father’s name provides a model for embracing God’s timing, even in distress. Jesus’ prayer signifies His commitment to the Father’s will, reminding believers that our struggles find purpose in God’s greater plan. Encourage your congregation to lean on prayer and God's promise during personal trials, trusting that God’s timing is perfect.

3. Shifting Power

John 12:31-33

Maybe you could explore how Jesus discusses the judgment of the world and the casting out of the 'prince of this world.' His statement about being 'lifted up' foreshadows His crucifixion, underscoring the significance of His sacrifice. This moment marks the victory over sin and death. Believers are assured that through Christ’s sacrifice, power has shifted. This assurance in God’s triumphant plan empowers us to face adversity courageously, relying on the truth that God’s timing is just and purposeful.

4. Seizing the Light

John 12:34-36

Perhaps this concluding section inspires reflection on Jesus’ final appeal to believe in the light and respond to divine timing. Jesus urges followers to walk in the light while it is still with them, symbolizing the urgency of faith and action. This urgency is a call for the community to illuminate the world through acts of love and truth. Believers are encouraged to seize the moment to live out their faith courageously and transparently, embodying Christ-like light in their daily environments.