WHY JESUS WAS BORN, TEBOW'S GAME JOHN 12:20-33

WHY JESUS WAS BORN

   Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast.  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.  I tell you the truth, 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.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his 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. 

   "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?  'Father, save me from this hour'?  NO, IT WAS FOR THIS VERY REASON I CAME TO THIS HOUR, FATHER, GLORIFY YOUR NAME!"

   Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."  the crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

  Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.  Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.  But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."  He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.  John 12:  20-33 (NIV)

 

 LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

   These Greeks probably were converts to the Jewish faith.  They may have gone to Philip because, though he was a Jew, he had a Greek name.    
   This is a beautiful picture of the necessary sacrifice of Jesus.  Unless a kernel of wheat is buried in the ground, it will not become a blade of wheat producing many more seeds.  Jesus had to die to pay the penalty for our sin, but also to show his power over death.  His resurrection proves he has eternal life.  Because Jesus is God, Jesus can give this same eternal life to all who believe in him.

   We must be so committed to living for Christ that we "hate" our lives by comparison.  This does not mean that we long to die or that we are careless or destructive with the life God has given, but that we are willing to die if doing so will glorify Christ.  We must disown the tyrannical rule of our own self-centeredness.  By laying aside our striving for advantage, security, and pleasure, we can serve God lovingly and freely.  Releasing control of our lives and transferring control to Christ bring eternal life and genuine joy.

   Many believed  that Jesus came for the Jews only.  But when Jesus said,
"Whoever serves me must follow me," he was talking to these Greeks as well.  No matter who the sincere seekers are, Jesus welcomes them.  His message is for everyone.  Don't allow social or racial differences to become barriers to the gospel.  Take the Good News to all people.

   JESUS KNEW HIS CRUCIFIXION LAY AHEAD, AND BECAUSE HE WAS HUMAN HE DREADED IT.  He knew he would have to take the sins of the world on himself, and he knew this would separate him from his Father.  He wanted to be delivered from this horrible death, but HE KNEW THAT GOD SENT HIM INTO THE WORLD TO DIE FOR OUR SINS, IN OUR PLACE.  Jesus said no to his human desires in order to obey his Father and glorify him.  Although we will never have to face such a difficult and awesome task, we are still called to obedience.  Whatever the Father asks, we should do his will and bring glory to his name.

   The prince of this world is Satan, an angel who rebelled against God.  Satan is real, not symbolic, and is constantly working against God and those who obey him.  Satan tempted Eve in the garden and persuaded her to sin; he tempted Jesus in the desert and did not persuade him to fall.  Satan has great power, but people can be delivered from his reign of spiritual darkness because of Christ's victory on the cross.  Satan is powerful, but Jesus is much more powerful.  Jesus' resurrection shattered Satan's deathly power.  To overcome Satan we need faithful allegiance to God's Word, determination to stay away from sin, and the support of other believers.

   The crowd could not believe what Jesus was saying about the Messiah.  they were waving palm branches for a victorious Messiah who would set up a political, earthly kingdom that would never end.  From their reading of certain Scriptures, they thought the Messiah would never die.  Other passages however, showed that he would.  Jesus' words did not mesh with their concept of the Messiah.  First he had to suffer and die--then he would one day set up his eternal kingdom.  What kind of Messiah, or Savior, are you seeking?  Beware of trying to force Jesus into your own mold--he won't fit.

MY THOUGHTS

   What kind of stress would it be to know the time and the way you were going to die.  If I knew I would be killed in a home invasion, I would be shopping all my life, and never go home.  If I knew I would be killed in a car crash, I would never drive, etc.  Jesus knew from the time he was born what his purpose in life was.  Thank you God, Jesus for all your love and sacrifice.

   Now, while the Jews and everyone who knew the story of the Messiah were expecting Jesus to set up his kingdom and rule the world, God's thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways are not our ways.  How many of us were praying fervently for Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos to win this past weekend?  Was his purpose to draw us near to God?  Maybe we should all be praying just as fervently for our country, our families, our friends, etc.  We have been told the time is short.  Let us pray while there is still time.