We’ve been following the life of Jesus in the Gospel of John for some time, and we’ve now reached a stage where the focus shifts to the last week of His life. Chapter 12 begins this final week.
We’ve seen that the Jewish authorities are hostile toward Jesus, feeling threatened by Him. Meanwhile, Jesus is very popular, and all of Jerusalem had gathered to hail Him as their King. To provide some context, let’s pick up in verse 19, where we see the attitude of Jerusalem’s leaders toward Jesus. It says, “So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘You see that you are not doing any good. Look, the whole world has gone after Him.'” This follows Jesus’ procession through the streets of Jerusalem, where He was celebrated as Israel’s King. The Pharisees are clearly upset about this.
Verse 20 continues: “Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast.” It’s important to note that Judaism was also attractive to many Gentiles, or non-Jewish people. The Jews often referred to non-Jews simply as Gentiles or Greeks. Ancient Jews fiercely guarded their identity as God’s chosen people, maintaining a strict boundary between themselves and Gentiles. For example, a warning on the temple wall barred Gentiles from entering beyond the outer court. If you were not Jewish, you were prohibited from going any further into the temple.
Despite this, many non-Jews admired the Jewish worship of one God, especially in contrast to the chaotic pantheon of gods in Rome and Greece. This admiration often drew them toward Judaism. Some even attended Jewish feasts, like the one taking place here during Passover week. Jerusalem at this time was filled with as many as 2.7 million people, given the significance of the festival. Non-Jewish Gentiles were permitted to worship, albeit within certain limits.
This gathering of Gentiles should not be surprising, as the Old Testament contains numerous prophecies that speak of Gentile nations coming to worship God alongside His people. These prophecies pointed to a future where people from every nation and tribe would gather to worship the one true God.
The arrival of these Greeks, these non-Jewish individuals, in Jerusalem sets the stage for Jesus’ declaration that His hour of glorification has come and that the fulfillment of His ministry is near. These Greeks arrive, and John tells us where they go. Look at verse 21: they approach one of Jesus’ disciples. Specifically, they come to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and say to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” They make a simple yet profound request: “We wish to see Jesus.”
This is what I want to focus on today—what does it truly mean to see Jesus? Not just to see Him physically from a distance, but to truly understand Him. These men were not merely seeking a physical encounter; they could have observed Jesus from afar. Instead, their desire reflects a deeper, spiritual hunger that transcends cultural and religious boundaries.
This moment represents a significant turning point in Jesus’ ministry, as it unveils the scope of His mission. While His ministry prioritized Israel, His mission was ultimately for the whole world. These Greeks may have been able to see Jesus physically, but they longed for something more. They wanted to grasp who Jesus truly was and what He was about. What does it mean to see Jesus?
Seeing Jesus begins with a longing to know Him.
Seeing Jesus begins with a longing to know Him—not just knowing about Him, but desiring to know Him intimately. This isn’t merely a quest for information or a passing interest in Jesus’ reputation. These Gentile Greeks sought a personal encounter with Him; they wanted to meet Him face to face.
Many people marveled at Jesus’ ministry in His day. They listened to His teachings and were fascinated by Him, but they stopped short of true discipleship, of wanting to know Him deeply. Even King Herod was intrigued by reports of Jesus. This pagan king sought to see Jesus, but his motives were shallow—he wanted to witness miraculous signs, driven by self-serving curiosity rather than genuine faith.
Today, a similar attitude persists. Many admire Jesus as a historical figure—His existence cannot be denied. Others respect Him as a moral teacher or a cultural icon. Yet, they resist the transformative relationship Jesus offers. They do not long to know Him intimately. Without that desire, knowledge about Jesus remains superficial.
The request of these Greeks reflects a deeper hunger—a desire to encounter Jesus personally and to experience the life and truth He embodies. This is what Jesus promises to those who seek Him: a personal encounter. It’s one thing to know that honey is sweet; it’s another to taste its sweetness. In the same way, knowing Jesus involves opening our hearts, surrendering our wills, and allowing Him to reshape our desires.
Longing to know about Jesus may lead to fascination, but longing to know Him leads to transformation.
If you want to be transformed, you must know Jesus personally, not just facts about Him. The first kind of knowledge is transactional—seeking benefits or insights from knowing about Jesus. The second kind is relational—seeking Jesus for Himself, not merely for what He offers you.
Consider this: Is your faith limited to knowing facts and practicing religion? Or are you pursuing a living relationship with the very real Jesus whom you can know? This longing to know Jesus, to see Him as He truly is, is the first step in spiritual sight. You must want to know Him.
This desire draws us from the “outer court” of mere interest into the inner life of fellowship with Jesus and discipleship by Him. It is about knowing Him personally. Verse 22 illustrates this beautifully, and I found it especially instructive for us.
Philip and Andrew reflect the natural response of disciples: bringing others to the Savior.
Philip and Andrew reflect the natural response of disciples: bringing others to the Savior. That’s what disciples of Jesus do. We act as a bridge for those seeking Him, guiding them from being mere observers to encountering Him personally. We are not simply deliverers of facts about Jesus.
The world around us is longing for hope, meaning, and truth—whether they realize it or not. When I think about this, it makes me wonder: are we approachable? Do our lives and words point people to Christ? This isn’t about us being the answer, but about pointing people to the answer. You don’t have to have all the answers—none of us do. If you are a disciple of Jesus, your role is to point people to Him, not to have all the answers or to be the answer yourself.
Who in your life is asking, in their own way, to see Jesus? Who looks at you and longs to know the Savior you know? The world needs Christians who not only proclaim the Gospel but also embody its hope, purpose, and message of reconciliation to God. The world is longing for this, even if they don’t realize it.
The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ.” An ambassador represents the interests of their nation to a foreign land, and Paul says Christians are ambassadors for Christ—as though God were making an appeal through us. He continues, “We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
As a man, I hesitate at the idea of begging anyone for anything. But notice Paul’s intensity—he says we actually beg people. To some, that might sound fanatical. Why is Paul so passionate, so desperate, that he moves from simply appealing to begging others to see what he sees in Jesus?
I suggest to you that Paul sees something in the person and work of Jesus so absolutely glorious that he cannot do otherwise. When you see something truly wonderful, don’t you feel compelled to share it with others?
Seeing Jesus means recognizing His glory through His death & resurrection.
Stage one is the longing to know Him for who He truly is. Stage two is seeing a kind of glory in Him that is uniquely tied to His death and resurrection. Many people struggle to understand why Christians are so passionate about Jesus. To them, He might seem like an ancient figure, a moral teacher, or perhaps a crutch for those who can’t handle life on their own. Isn’t that how much of the world views Him? The famous science fiction writer Robert Heinlein once wrote that “religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to stand on their own without help.” This sentiment captures how many perceive Christianity—as something weak people rely on.
Admittedly, some do use religion as a crutch, even to achieve selfish goals. But for Jesus’ disciples, He is not a means to an end. He is the end. He is the goal. It’s not just about how Jesus benefits me, society, or my personal aspirations—it’s about Him.
Think about it: everyone is enthusiastic about people, things, or causes they find valuable, admirable, and worthy of attention. If you’re a football fan, your enthusiasm for your team will reflect how much of a fan you are. If you love your kids and they’re excelling in school, you might proudly display a bumper sticker saying, “My child is an honor roll student.” If you’re passionate about your career, that pride often becomes one of the first things you share about yourself when meeting someone new.
We all express enthusiasm for what we value and admire. For Christians, this enthusiasm centers on Jesus. That’s where Paul was. His passion for Christ stemmed from seeing Him as supremely valuable, admirable, and worthy of recognition.
Jesus invites us to not just see Him, but recognize His glory by understanding His death & resurrection.
Jesus invites us not just to see Him, but to recognize His glory by understanding His death and resurrection. Look at verses 23 and 24: “Jesus answered them, saying, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’” This marks a transition. Previously, Jesus repeatedly said that His hour had not yet come. Now, He declares, “The hour has come.” This hour is the moment for the Son of Man to be glorified.
He continues, “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.” Jesus’ entire life on earth was lived in anticipation of this hour—the hour when He would become what the Bible calls “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” His life was centered on this purpose.
The title “Son of Man,” which Jesus often uses for Himself, has profound meaning. It identifies Him as the perfect representative of humanity, fully human. But it also signifies His divine authority, referencing the messianic figure described in Daniel 7:13–14, one with universal, God-like authority. The title conveys that Jesus is not only human but also divine.
In taking on human nature, God became one of us. Jesus’ perfect obedience to God’s law and His self-sacrificing love led Him to the cross, where He substituted Himself in the place of sinners, bearing the wrath of God against sin. This is the hour Jesus lived for—the moment when He would take upon Himself the punishment for sin on behalf of those who trust in Him. Could there be any more significant hour in all of history?
God originally created humans full of spiritual life, but through sin and disobedience, we became spiritually dead. Though we live physically, that physical life will inevitably end. Sin has left us spiritually lifeless. This spiritual life, forfeited by our first parents in their disobedience, can only be restored through Jesus.
When Jesus says that a grain of wheat must die and be buried to produce life, He is illustrating the necessity of His own death. Just as the grain must die to yield a harvest, Jesus’ death is essential to bring spiritual life to us, who are spiritually dead until we come to Him.
Spiritual death means we’re cut off from the source of life.
You may have physical life, but you are disconnected from the life of God because you are spiritually dead. Think of a branch severed from a tree. I need to trim some trees at my house. The leaves have fallen, and I wait for the trees to go dormant before trimming. But even branches that still have leaves will look alive for a little while after being cut. Eventually, they wither because they can no longer receive nutrients.
The evidence of spiritual death is all around us—broken relationships, injustices, and even the way we exploit the planet. These aren’t just imperfections or areas where we need to “do better.” They are symptoms of a deeper disconnection within us. Spiritual death is the gap between what we were created to be and what we are now.
Have you ever felt that something is deeply wrong with the world? Doesn’t it seem like no matter how advanced we become, we cannot fix our problems? At the start of the 20th century, during the Industrial Revolution, technology and science were hailed as the solutions to humanity’s struggles. People believed they could solve modern man’s problems and fix the world. Yet, this era of progress led us into two world wars. Despite advancements in technology, society, and politics, the underlying brokenness remains. Where does this come from?
If we are merely flawed animals, why do we feel guilt or shame? Animals only feel shame when they fear punishment. Why do we, as humans, long for justice, beauty, and love—things that transcend mere survival? I don’t need beauty, love, or justice to survive. These longings suggest we were made for more than survival.
Spiritual death isn’t a scare tactic—it’s a diagnosis. It’s not about getting you to depend on the church or any human institution. It’s about acknowledging the reality of our condition so we can seek restoration. Jesus wants to restore you.
He says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” This is the law of the harvest. Even in biology, transformation requires a kind of death. Jesus uses this principle to reveal the path to spiritual life: through His own death, life is made possible for us.
Spiritual transformation requires Jesus’ death.
Friends, why couldn’t God just snap His fingers? Why did Jesus have to die? Couldn’t God simply cover our sin and say, “It’s done”? No, because forgiveness always has a cost to the one who forgives. It always costs something.
Imagine you get into a car accident today, and the other driver damages your rear bumper. Your car is still drivable, and in kindness, you decide to forgive them, saying, “I won’t file a claim.” Even then, someone has to bear the cost. You’ll either pay out of your own pocket to fix the damage or drive the car as it is, bearing the cost of living with the damage. There’s no way around it—someone always pays. Forgiveness works the same way; it’s not something that can simply be snapped away. It requires someone to absorb the cost.
The scandal of the cross can only be fully appreciated when we understand its beauty. On the cross, God in Christ was paying the price that had to be paid. It wasn’t optional; it was necessary.
To see Jesus is to recognize the glory of the cross and His resurrection. To the world, it looks utterly foolish and doesn’t make sense. But to the Christian, it is absolutely glorious. It’s something we are compelled to talk about.
Seeing Jesus means following Him as a disciple.
The first step is longing for Him—the desire to know who He is. The second step is recognizing His glory: understanding that He is the Savior, that He died for your sins, and that He rose from the dead. My friends, the third step to truly perceiving Jesus is following Him as a disciple.
When God makes a person a Christian, He brings their dead spirit back to life through the work of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t something we can do on our own; it requires a miracle. The Holy Spirit awakens a person’s dead spirit, giving them new life. As a result, their heart and desires are changed so they can freely and joyfully respond to God in faith.
Before this work of the Holy Spirit, we are incapable of responding to God in faith because we don’t want to. But when the Holy Spirit regenerates us—what Jesus calls being “born again”—our desires change, and they continue to change. Serving the Lord and following Him is no longer a chore. It becomes something we do freely and joyfully as a response to His grace.
The idea that it’s possible to trust Jesus as Savior while refusing to follow Him as Lord is not biblical. I’ve encountered many teachers who claim you can be a Christian without submitting to Jesus as Lord, but my friends, this is absolutely untrue. James tells us that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:14). Jesus Himself says, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). You cannot claim Jesus as Savior without submitting to Him as Lord.
There is no two-tiered system of discipleship—where some accept the benefits of salvation without ever walking with Him, while others go further and follow Him as Lord. That’s nonsense. Discipleship isn’t optional; it’s integral to what it means to be a Christian.
I’m tempted to address the passage in 1 Corinthians about so-called “carnal Christians,” but we don’t have time for that today. Perhaps that can be a discussion for another day.
No one can see Jesus in this way without embracing the call to die to self and to live a new kind of life for God.
Look at verse 25, where Jesus says, “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.”
Grace is not a free pass. Salvation is not free—it cost God His Son. God paid a price. When God places His grace in a person, it becomes the starting point for a transformative work. Grace changes the heart from the inside out. This is not about adopting a set of religious practices; it is about being fundamentally changed.
When you truly grasp that you are loved and forgiven, it changes you. You are freed from the need to prove yourself. This freedom gives you the courage to face your flaws and work for change—not out of fear, but out of gratitude for what Jesus has done. You are no longer clinging to an identity built on temporary things. Instead, you are free to embrace transformation. This is why many people say, “I don’t have a religion; I have a relationship.” It’s not that we aren’t religious, but the focus is on who we have come to know and the miraculous changes He makes in us.
In verse 25, Jesus repeats the word “life” three times. The word for life in the phrases “loves his life” and “hates his life” is the Greek word psyche. This word refers to the psychological, earthly, and natural life—what we might call the self-centered life. Jesus says, “He who loves his earthly, natural life loses it, and he who hates his earthly, natural life in this world will keep it.”
The third instance of “life” is different. It’s the Greek word zoe, which refers to spiritual and supernatural life—the eternal life that comes from God. Zoe is not just about living forever; it’s about a quality of life, a supernatural life marked by connection with God.
To grasp zoe, you must let go of psyche as the center of your existence. This is what Jesus is saying: you cannot cling to a self-centered, earthly way of life and simultaneously embrace the eternal, supernatural life He offers.
A life primarily focused on self-preservation, comfort, security, & worldly success risks the loss of meaning & purpose, genuine fulfillment & joy, a connection to God, & the potential to do a lot of good.
By prioritizing these things, you jeopardize a deeper connection to God and the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Many people view Christianity merely as a means to do good in the world, and while it certainly does, religion has also been used to justify harm. But the type of life focused solely on worldly pursuits often becomes dominated by passing desires: “I want this, now I want something else, now I need something more.” It’s also driven by fear: fear of losing opportunities, relationships, or jobs. This cycle of fleeting desires and fears leaves people feeling lost and without direction, because their lives are rooted in fragile, temporary things.
When our lives are driven by fear, the pursuit of security and safety becomes a trap. Clinging to the things we value most can rob us of true freedom. By focusing on maintaining comfort and security, we often miss opportunities to make a lasting positive impact and participate in God’s greater work.
Being a Christian means being part of something much bigger than this world. It’s about stepping beyond a self-centered existence to embrace a calling that aligns with God’s eternal purposes.
A life that prioritizes God’s will & eternal values requires a conscious detachment from the things of this world as ultimate sources of satisfaction.
When Jesus says, “He who hates his life in this world will keep it,” He’s not calling for self-loathing. Instead, He is teaching us to set aside selfish ambition and worldly priorities. Jesus isn’t against the good things in life, but He warns that they cannot be our ultimate goal. Do you see the distinction?
The word “hate” here is an idiom. It expresses a radical preference for God and the things of heaven, a commitment so profound that the things of this world pale in comparison. That’s what Jesus is calling us to—a life where our focus is on eternal values rather than fleeting, worldly pursuits. How, then, do we adopt this kind of sacrificial life?
Radically prefer God and his kingdom to all else.
The word “radical” is fitting because we are not naturally inclined to prefer God and His kingdom over everything else in this world. This kind of radical preference is not something we can achieve on our own. It is only possible through being born again—when our spiritual death gives way to spiritual life through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit.
Disengage from the pursuit of worldly success as the ultimate end.
There is a necessary disengagement that must take place. The word “disengage” reminds me of Timothy Leary’s famous motto from the 1960s. While I can’t recall the exact phrase, it was something like, “Disengage from culture and plug into taking hallucinogenics.” In a very real sense, Christ calls us to disengage—not by escaping reality or indulging in fleeting experiences, but by stepping away from the pursuit of worldly success as the primary goal of our lives.
Live a life focused on eternal values rather than temporary ones.
Do you see how intentional this requires you to be? Focusing on eternal values demands disengaging from things that threaten or undermine those values. However, even before that, you won’t disengage from these things unless you have a genuine preference for God over everything else. There’s a chain reaction here: until the desires of your heart change, you cannot truly follow Jesus.
Embrace self-sacrifice and service in following Jesus.
When you desire Jesus and radically prefer Him over everything else, self-sacrifice and service flow naturally. You will disengage from anything that hinders your pursuit of Him and shift your focus to the eternal kingdom and its values. This focus leads to a life marked by serving others rather than being consumed with self-concern.
Find your true life by surrendering it to God.
Do you see the process? Jesus says, “He who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.” Eternal life is not just about longevity; it’s about quality. I’m not waiting to go to heaven—I’ve already been placed in heaven. What do I mean by that? There is a real place called heaven where I will one day be, but the place itself is not what makes heaven, heaven. What makes heaven truly heaven is Jesus. And because Jesus has come to live inside me, I am already, in a sense, experiencing heaven. Paul says in Ephesians that we are “seated in the heavenly places with Christ.” I’m not waiting for heaven to begin—it’s already begun.
The essential connection between service, following, presence, & divine honor.
Finally, let’s look at verse 26, where Jesus says, “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” Notice that Jesus emphasizes that we are to serve Him.
This service doesn’t come merely as an obligation or duty—it flows out of our love for Jesus. It arises from a desire to follow His example. Ultimately, it comes down to the heart: what do I truly want, and what does that say about me?
While we don’t serve Jesus solely out of duty, there are times in the Christian life—perhaps many times—when we must rely on duty to carry us through. But duty is not the end goal. The goal is to say, “Jesus, I love You, and I want to move beyond feeling obligated to do what You’ve called me to do. I want to follow You because You died for me.”
When we are following Him, Jesus’ presence as accessible
Notice that Jesus says, “Where I am, there My servant will be also.” If you love Jesus, that truth is a delight to your soul. To be where Jesus is—that’s the most glorious reality for those who truly see Him for who He is. This isn’t just a promise for the life to come; it’s for this life as well.
Jesus doesn’t leave us with a set of instructions and say, “I’ll see you in 80 years when you die.” The Christian experiences His presence now. We encounter Him through a tangible relationship with the Holy Spirit, exposure to Scripture, prayer, the community of the church, serving others, and partaking in the Lord’s Supper. In these ways, we literally come into the presence of Christ.
Though I’ve never seen Jesus physically, I know Him intimately. It’s hard to explain how I know this, but there’s a closeness—a sense of His presence—that many Christians share. It’s as though I can almost see Him physically, even though I cannot. When I read Scripture, I don’t approach it like a technical manual. I read it as God’s Word to me personally, and the Holy Spirit speaks to me through it.
Sometimes, however, it takes time for this connection to come alive. I started a new Bible reading plan this week—a one-year Bible program I do every year. I’m back in Genesis and the Gospel of Luke. Over the years, I’ve learned that many people get discouraged with Bible reading. They skip a day, feel defeated, and give up. Others feel like they get nothing out of it. I’ve felt the same way. Often, I have to read three or four chapters with no distractions before I finally engage and think, “Why wasn’t I focused earlier?” It takes time and persistence.
You can know the presence of Christ by going to Scripture and conversing with God in prayer. I find that Scripture shapes my prayers, helping me better understand what God is saying through the Holy Spirit’s work in me. I also experience Christ’s presence through the church—fellowshipping with other believers—and in the process of serving others.
If your spiritual life feels stale, one of the best ways to reignite it is by serving someone else. But don’t just serve—tell them about Jesus. Yes, it’s risky and scary, but it’s also exhilarating. I’m not an adrenaline junkie, but I can tell you that when you step out to serve and share Christ, the Holy Spirit moves in powerful ways. Your values change, and He speaks through you.
True validation and lasting worth are found only in the honor that comes from God
My friends, Jesus says in verse 26, “If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
Think about the things we look to for validation—our spouses, parents, kids, friends, social media interactions, or jobs. We often seek these things to affirm that our lives have meaning. Have you ever realized that’s what we’re doing? Yet, when you truly understand Jesus and His Father, you see that the honor of the Father is the ultimate validation. It’s untouchable. No one can take it away from you.
Do you see Jesus as I hope you do? Do you perceive the glory of what He has done? And do you understand how naturally blind we are to it? There are many scriptures I could have covered today, but I didn’t for the sake of time. On the back of the note card, there are additional verses I encourage you to read. They remind us that we are blinded by the god of this world and that Jesus often appears foolish to the world—and even to us—until something changes. When we recognize the glory of His death and resurrection, it transforms us because of what He has accomplished and how it changes us.
Oh, He loves you. He forgives you. But He also changes you.
I don’t have any magic tricks to make someone a Christian. Neither does any other preacher or believer, despite whatever gimmicks might be used to stir emotions and create a temporary sense of need. Those are just parlor tricks, and I couldn’t care less about them.
The only thing I can do—and the only thing you can do for others—is point you to Jesus and pray for His mercy to convert your heart. And I can promise you this: He will never, ever turn away a sincere heart. Never.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, what is this great love that You have given to me—that You would send Your Son to die for me? Oh Lord Jesus, I don’t deserve it. I am unworthy. I almost blush at the thought that You would show me that kind of attention, and yet You did. Lord Jesus, this says more about You than it does about me. You are absolutely glorious. Forgive me for not seeing this as I should. Forgive me for putting You on the back burner. Forgive me for letting other things in my life take precedence over knowing You. I’m tired of being superficial. I’m tired of empty promises to “get excited” about You. I don’t want that anymore. I just want You—whatever that means, whatever the cost. Jesus, I pray You would change my heart, forgive me, and bring new life into me.
In Your name, I pray. Amen.
