John 12:20 Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greek-speaking Jews. 21 They approached Philip, the one from Beit-Tzaidah in the Galil, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Yeshua.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Yeshua. 23 Yeshua gave them this answer: “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies, it stays just a grain; but if it dies, it produces a big harvest. 25 He who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it safe right on into eternal life! 26 If someone is serving me, let him follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too. My Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now I am in turmoil. What can I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. I will say this: 28 ‘Father, glorify your name!’” At this a bat-kol came out of heaven, “I have glorified it before, and I will glorify it again!” 29 The crowd standing there and hearing it said that it had thundered; others said, “An angel spoke to him.” 30 Yeshua answered, “This bat-kol did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time for this world to be judged, now the ruler of this world will be expelled. 32 As for me, when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he would die. (Complete Jewish Bible)
***
"We wish to see Jesus." Do we? Or are we, like so many
in the crowd, just dazzled by the signs Jesus has done,
including recently in John's story raising his friend Lazarus
from the grave? Dazzled? Life is complicated! It would
be a gift to find a super hero, a magic maker who could
eradicate the power of evil and make it all right again. We
need not be surprised that our affections drift toward
those whose ability to transcend a "normal" life makes
them seem larger than life--the strong, the assertive, the
attractive, the brilliant, the lucky. Our stories are full of
heroes who had the courage and might to change the
course of life for the better. But Jesus, this Jesus, was not
such a hero. The hour had come when he was about to
be revealed in all his complexity. Life springs from death.
Not simple, but true.
Jesus, we want to see you. Make us ready. Invite us into
the paradox of your truth. Amen.
Catherine Malotky '86
Grant and Project Manager for the Center for Stewardship Leaders, Luther Seminary
John 12:20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.
21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
23 Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--"Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.
28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."
29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. (New Revised Standard Version)
"We wish to see Jesus." Do we? Or are we, like so many
in the crowd, just dazzled by the signs Jesus has done,
including recently in John's story raising his friend Lazarus
from the grave? Dazzled? Life is complicated! It would
be a gift to find a super hero, a magic maker who could
eradicate the power of evil and make it all right again. We
need not be surprised that our affections drift toward
those whose ability to transcend a "normal" life makes
them seem larger than life--the strong, the assertive, the
attractive, the brilliant, the lucky. Our stories are full of
heroes who had the courage and might to change the
course of life for the better. But Jesus, this Jesus, was not
such a hero. The hour had come when he was about to
be revealed in all his complexity. Life springs from death.
Not simple, but true.
Jesus, we want to see you. Make us ready. Invite us into
the paradox of your truth. Amen.
Catherine Malotky '86
Grant and Project Manager for the Center for Stewardship Leaders, Luther Seminary
John 12:20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks.
21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
23 Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
27 "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say--"Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.
28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."
29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. (New Revised Standard Version)
The Luther Seminary
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