THE LAST WEEK OF JESUS' PUBLIC MINISTRY AND HIS CRUCIFIXION
-Greeks Seek Jesus at the Temple
-John 12:20-36
-Regarding the chronology of this event, see the comments on page 127 of our study.
-On this occasion, Greeks (seemingly proselytes) approached Philip with a request to see Jesus.
Perhaps, they were attracted to Philip due to his Greek name.
-“Jesus was evidently still in the court of the women, where the treasury was, and this court,
being part of the sanctuary, no Gentile was permitted to enter it” (McGarvey/Pendleton,
pg 613).
-Philip seems unsure of how to handle the request. He first consults with Andrew and together
they approach Jesus.
-Upon hearing that these Greeks requested an audience with Him, Jesus’ thoughts were focused
upon His mission which would be accomplished through His death, burial and resurrection now
just days away. Such a mission would open the doors for all - Jews and Gentiles - to come to
the Father through Him.
-“Jesus was fully conscious of the fact that His death on the cross was the only power under
heaven that would remove the racial barrier, and so dedicates Himself to meet it (vs 27-33).
But He naturally and instinctively, as a man, shrinks from the cross. A great conflict of
emotions now agitates His usually calm soul” (Shepard, pg 486).
-Jesus tells His disciples that “the hour” - the designated time of His suffering - was come.
-Using the analogy of a piece of grain, Jesus explains His attitude and role of self sacrifice.
Through His death, burial and resurrection He would bear much fruit. (vs 24)
-He then encourages His followers to display an attitude and life of self sacrifice as well.
Those who would do so would be honored by the Heavenly Father (vs 25-26). While our
world promotes self service, our Savior demands self sacrifice.
-Jesus indicated that His soul was troubled (vs 27). He “…admits that it was difficult for
him to live up to the principle of sacrifice which he had just enunciated. Had it not been
thus difficult for him, he would hardly have been a fitting example for his disciples; for
certainly it is and has always been difficult for them” (McGarvey/Pendleton, pg 614).
-“The events unfolding before Jesus were extremely ugly and tragic, not simply for
himself, but also in the profound implications for the chosen people. The total
rejection and casting off of Israel loomed ominously in this visit of Gentiles who
would accept Jesus, contrasting so tragically with the obduracy of the chosen
nation” (Coffman, John, pg 300).
-Jesus then contemplated issuing a prayer to the Father. What should He pray for? Should
He ask to be spared from what awaited Him? Of course, Jesus knew the answer to that and
supplied it - “…but for this cause came I unto this hour” (vs 27).
-Rather than seeking deliverance, He sought the glorification of the Father’s name (vs 28).
-This is one of the rare occasions when the silence of heaven was broken. “This audible
voice was variously interpreted. To the unbelieving, it was a clap of thunder out of a clear
sky, unmistakable but inexplicable, and perplexing. To more sympathetic disciples the
utterance was that of an angel speaking to Him. Jesus interprets the voice for them. It was
not principally for His sake, though it did serve to prepare Him to meet the last struggle. It
was more for their sake, that they might believe on Him” (Shepard, pg 487).
-In verse 31, Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world…” The word “judgment” is
translated from the Greek word “krisis.” Obviously, this is the word from which we get our
English word “crisis.”
-The ultimate crisis was upon the earth. Satan had invaded the earth and, for centuries,
had ruled over it with his sinful influence. He wanted to continue with such domination.
However, Jesus had come to this earth and to “this hour” (vs 27) - the “now” of vs 31 -
to gain the victory over Satan and, therefore, to offer such victory to mankind.
-The crisis had reached its climax. The hopes of mankind - the effectiveness of God’s
plan of redemption - hung in the balance. In just a few days, Jesus would fulfill His
mission and would be lifted up. Then, through the message of the Gospel, all would be
drawn to Him.
-The people who heard these words of Jesus understood that He was speaking about the death
of the Son of man. However, they struggled to comprehend that He was speaking of Himself.
-They were looking to Jesus as the Messiah. But, of course they were doing so with
preconceived notions. They were expecting an earthly king, not a sacrificed and risen
Savior. Understandably, they struggled to harmonize the idea of a Christ who “abideth
forever” with the Son of man being “lifted up.” Therefore, they failed to understand that the
Messiah and the Son of Man were one and the same.
-Again, these preconceived notions and their failure to overcome them would take these
people from their previous cries of praise - “Hosanna : Blessed is the King of Israel that
cometh in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13) to their yells of hateful rejection,
“…Crucify him, crucify him…” (John 19:6).
-Rather than physically abiding with them forever, Jesus would remain upon this earth for
just a “little while” (John 12:35). They needed to take advantage of such a privilege, believe
in Him and become children of light.
-“These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them” (John 12:36).
-It’s amazing how a moment of great significance (such as this one) is revealed in a very
plain and simplistic fashion within the inspired record. Jesus’ public ministry had
been brought to a close. That which He came to teach to the multitudes had been taught.
At this time, Jesus departed from the temple having previously designated it as “desolate”
(Matt 23:38). He would never return to it again. The temple had represented the dwelling
of God amongst His people. It had been visited by the Messiah. When Jesus departed
from the temple, it would never have the presence of Deity again. The next time Jesus
would publicly appear, He would be in the hands of His enemies.