The Hour Has Come

 

"The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified" (John 12:23). Previously, the time had not been right, but now it was time for Jesus to be glorified through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. These things were necessary before the gospel could be preached in its fullest sense to the Jews and Gentiles.

(John 12:24) "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain" - As a grain must "die" in order to germinate and ultimately produce fruit, so Jesus must die in order to bear much fruit (i.e., the salvation of lost souls through His blood). Jesus speaks these words to illustrate the fact that only through His death could His work be completed and glory come. In any seed is the germ of life, but only when it is planted (i.e., it “dies" to itself by ceasing to exist as a seed as it opens up and sprouts) is fruit able to be produced. If a seed remains unplanted it will not "die" but instead remain fruitless. Jesus knew it would be difficult for His disciples to accept the idea of Him dying, yet He wants them to understand that such is necessary to fulfilling God's plan. If Jesus had not died, then He would not have born any fruit in the form of saving the lost.

(John12:25) "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (Matthew 16:25). This paradoxical statement simply means that a servant of God who appears to have little concern for the preservation of his earthly life is really guaranteeing himself eternal life in heaven. Certainly, Jesus has His own death in mind, though this is a general principle. On the other hand, if a seed "saved itself," it would remain as one grain until it rots. But, if it gives up its life-germ in good soil, it will multiply itself indefinitely from one planting generation to the next.

(John 12:26) "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also" - Those who are truly faithful to Jesus will follow Him in doctrine, disposition, and duty. Jesus wants His disciples to follow Him in fruit-bearing self-sacrifice. One of the greatest joys of following Jesus is the expectation of being with Him in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8-10). It is foolish to claim to be a servant of Christ while refusing to do His will. The Father will honor those who serve Jesus with the gift of eternal life and the glory of a home in heaven (1 John 2:4).

[John 15:8] “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.” Christians are attached to Jesus. The Son of God will provide strength and nourishment to Christians, as Jesus is the vine, and we are the attached branches (John 15:1-6). Branches that do not bear fruit will be pruned or removed from the vine, so they do not take away from other branches that are bearing fruit. When a child of God bears fruit, it proves itself. And God is glorified. Apple trees bear apples and prove themselves to be “apple” branches. If it is receiving the proper nourishment, the branch will produce a glorious apple. When the child of God does what one should, one produces fruit that glorifies God. When the world sees these fruits in us, they will glorify God who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:17-19). Salvation is the fruit of Christ - through His death, burial, and resurrection - fulfilling God’s plan of reconciliation.