peace . love . joy

There is something very encouraging, very pleasing, very exciting, very satisfying about John 12: 20-26.

'Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.
So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."

Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.'

In the very last verse of the very last chapter of the Gospel of John, he writes

'Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.'

Considering that, it probably means that whatever is contained in his message, whatever detail he includes, it must be of utmost importance and bear much significance for John to make a note of it and feel it imperative that it be passed down the generations.

So what is it that is so important in this passage?
And why is it so beautiful?

Well, read all four Gospels once more and be alert as to how many times the word "Greek", as in referring to a person of that heritage, is mentioned.
You will find that it appears not in Matthew, nor Luke, and but only once in Mark. Twice the Greeks are mentioned in John.

It is in this interview with Jesus that the Greeks are taken special notice of a second time in John.
And it is in this interview that Jesus reveals a vital information, a Truth, Salvation.
Never before in John has Jesus said "the hour has come". Until that instant, it has always been "the hour is coming" and others like it bearing that same message.

Jesus chose to "drop the bomb" in the presence of both Jew and Gentile.
This dual presence hints at the inclusion of both peoples, indeed all peoples, in partaking the benefits of His death and resurrection and ascension.
Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Risen Lord, He opens His arms wide to receive both Jew and Gentile into His embrace!

In God's eyes, there is no more a distinction between Jew, traditionally known as the exclusive God's people, and Gentile, the other less favourable horde.
We are equal heirs to God's Kingdom and riches, doesn't matter our ethnic heritage, our skin colour.
We are all memebers of the body of Christ, doesn't matter our language.

We are all God's people: ransomed, redeemed, beloved.

There is just something very encouraging, very pleasing, very exciting, very satisfying about John 12: 20-26..

Especially for one such as I, a gentile.