John – God Speaks!
Those who want to meet Jesus will find Him waiting to embrace them. Our church offered twelve Christmas Eve services this season for the sole purpose of helping the people of our community come and meet Jesus, accept who He is and believe that He died and rose again for all sin. We have seven more services today!
We see the look of longing with fear of the unknown as they come in but then they leave with smiles and relief from the bondage the world can place on them.
Some Greeks come to meet Jesus in our passage today. Jesus responds with powerful truth that cause our minds to rejoice because we do, indeed, know the Savior of our souls.
Truth – The death of Jesus, for our sin, will produce a harvest of new believers.
Truth – Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it forever.
Truth – Anyone who wants to serve Jesus must follow Jesus, because His servants must be where He is. “And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.”
Truth – Jesus has power over Satan.
Truth – Those who put their trust in the Light (Jesus) will become children of the Light.
John 12, New Living Translation
Jesus Predicts His Death
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.
30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.
34 The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
Come and meet Jesus! Let go of all that the world tells you is good and right and believe in the One who created you, loves you enough to die for you and will guide you all the days of our life here until you meet Him there. God with us. Emmanuel. Jesus, Son of God, died and rose again and stands ready to receive you as you run to meet Him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in our lives who believe and follow you. I love you, heart, mind and soul. There is no one like You. You have all the control and power and yet you bend down to love us unconditionally with mercy and grace. Thank you, Lord. I pray that all my lost family members and friends will have a heart’s desire to meet you this day.
In Jesus Name, Amen
