Daily Studies
Tuesday, April 7
Pray….
Gracious God, maker of the whole universe, be present to me right now through your Holy Spirit and open my whole self to you and your word this day. Amen.
Read…
John 12:20-26
The background:
The “Greeks” named here are not Greek-speaking Jews. They are gentiles which signals that already word of Jesus was spreading beyond the Jewish believers. Their request to “see Jesus” is interpreted as a desire to become disciples and followers of Jesus. It is interesting that we do not ever learn if they actually met and talked with Jesus.
Jesus uses an agricultural metaphor (something many people would understand since many were farmers and most at least tended a small garden) to tell about his impending death. Jesus seems to be answering the request of the Greeks. He is saying that to “see” him, to become his followers, you must watch him die like the grain of what dies, and in dying, his life will “bear much fruit.” If you want to truly be followers of Jesus, then you must be willing to die as well.
Verse 25 is a phrase that appears twice in Matthew, once in Mark, and twice in Luke. The fact that it appears in all the gospels testifies to its importance and its validity.
Verse 26 uses servant language that seems to point to what will happen when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet.
Reflect…
1. Why is it important that John tells us that some Greeks wanted to see Jesus? Why did Philip first consult Andrew and the two of them go to ask Jesus? [Bible scholars are clear that the Greeks, gentiles, show how the good news of Jesus was spreading beyond the Jewish community and their presence in this Holy Week represents the sharing of the gospel with the whole world. Interaction with gentiles (outsiders) was viewed as forbidden by most Jews. Clearly Philip hesitated so he asked Andrew and then the two of them, both unsure, went together to ask Jesus.]
2. The sayings of “those who love their life” will lose it and “those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” sound harsh and counter intuitive. What is Jesus saying here? [Theologians call this the great reversal. It is likened to Jesus saying “the first will be last and the last will be first.” The question here is about priorities. If you make your life the priority, you will end up losing your life literally in dying but even while alive, in being selfish and self-centered. But if you “hate” your life, theologians believe Jesus is exaggerating for a reason, then you will live eternally because you will have lived not for yourself but for God through loving others.]
Act…
Fill in the blank.
Just as Jesus said that a grain of wheat must die so that it might bear much fruit, I can die to my self-centeredness and selfishness by _______________________________________________________.
Pray…
God of life and death, you are one who showed us what it means to live faithfully through the life, death, and resurrection of your son, Jesus. Help me to live faithfully as Jesus did. Amen.
Pray….
Gracious God, maker of the whole universe, be present to me right now through your Holy Spirit and open my whole self to you and your word this day. Amen.
Read…
John 12:20-26
The background:
The “Greeks” named here are not Greek-speaking Jews. They are gentiles which signals that already word of Jesus was spreading beyond the Jewish believers. Their request to “see Jesus” is interpreted as a desire to become disciples and followers of Jesus. It is interesting that we do not ever learn if they actually met and talked with Jesus.
Jesus uses an agricultural metaphor (something many people would understand since many were farmers and most at least tended a small garden) to tell about his impending death. Jesus seems to be answering the request of the Greeks. He is saying that to “see” him, to become his followers, you must watch him die like the grain of what dies, and in dying, his life will “bear much fruit.” If you want to truly be followers of Jesus, then you must be willing to die as well.
Verse 25 is a phrase that appears twice in Matthew, once in Mark, and twice in Luke. The fact that it appears in all the gospels testifies to its importance and its validity.
Verse 26 uses servant language that seems to point to what will happen when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet.
Reflect…
1. Why is it important that John tells us that some Greeks wanted to see Jesus? Why did Philip first consult Andrew and the two of them go to ask Jesus? [Bible scholars are clear that the Greeks, gentiles, show how the good news of Jesus was spreading beyond the Jewish community and their presence in this Holy Week represents the sharing of the gospel with the whole world. Interaction with gentiles (outsiders) was viewed as forbidden by most Jews. Clearly Philip hesitated so he asked Andrew and then the two of them, both unsure, went together to ask Jesus.]
2. The sayings of “those who love their life” will lose it and “those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” sound harsh and counter intuitive. What is Jesus saying here? [Theologians call this the great reversal. It is likened to Jesus saying “the first will be last and the last will be first.” The question here is about priorities. If you make your life the priority, you will end up losing your life literally in dying but even while alive, in being selfish and self-centered. But if you “hate” your life, theologians believe Jesus is exaggerating for a reason, then you will live eternally because you will have lived not for yourself but for God through loving others.]
Act…
Fill in the blank.
Just as Jesus said that a grain of wheat must die so that it might bear much fruit, I can die to my self-centeredness and selfishness by _______________________________________________________.
Pray…
God of life and death, you are one who showed us what it means to live faithfully through the life, death, and resurrection of your son, Jesus. Help me to live faithfully as Jesus did. Amen.
