Context of Gospel
Earlier in the day of this reading, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey, greeted by throngs of residents, visitors, Jews, and pagans that were in Jerusalem for the week-long feast of the Passover. Over 100,000 were said to convene in the city at this time of the year.
If you recall, there was a special “Court of the Gentiles” as part of the Temple grounds, as many came to see the Temple and pray to this Hebrew God while there.
The Greeks were also probably visiting gentiles and had heard of the signs done by Jesus (the reason for the welcoming throngs).
Reading from the Gospel of John 12:20-33: The Coming of Jesus’ Hour
Now there were some Greeks among those who had come up to worship at the feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”
Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.
“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”
The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
Q: Why Philip and Andrew?
A: Philip and Andrew are Greek names, indicating they may have had Greek lineage and also spoke Greek.
Q: Jesus’ first statement: My hour has come! Why did the Greeks coming trigger this response?
A: The Messianic era was prophesied to be to all nations. It’s just a reminder to Jesus of what the next few days hold for him.
Q: What other “triggers” in the past caused Jesus to recognize his path was beckoning him.
A: Wedding at Cana (Mary). Peter identifying who Jesus was (flesh and blood did not reveal this to you…). And the Greeks.
Q: Jesus’ second statement: “…unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
A: Referring first to himself, although that may not have been entirely clear to his Apostles yet.
Q: What about Jesus’ third statement: whoever loves his life will lose it … whoever hates his life will have eternal life.
A: Hyperbole to emphasize as much as humanly possible which world should come first: whoever loves his life (is attached to this world) will lose it … whoever hates his life in this world (makes it 2nd to God in all things) will have eternal life.
Q: Jesus’ fourth statement: “I am troubled now, yet what should I say … for I have come for this purpose.”
A: He is fully human and experiencing what could also be translated as feeling dread, like the Agony in the Garden.
Q: God speaks from the heavens – what other times did God speak like this?
A: God spoke at his Baptism, the Transfiguration, and now on Passion Sunday.
Q: God: I have glorified you and will glorify you again?
A: Jesus was glorified in becoming the human (the incarnation) and he will be glorified again at the resurrection (saving man).
Q: Who is the “ruler of this world”?
A: The Hebrew commentary refers to Satan as the “ruler of the darkness of this world.” This was mainly meant for the Gentiles but also applied to the Jews. Jesus is saying that his death and resurrection will remove the grip that death has on humans.
Q: will draw everyone to myself
A: All nations of the world. Judaism is no longer to be a local affair of chosen people. They have fulfilled their role.
Maranatha!
Ron
Yorumlar