Thoughts for the Day

* Reconstruction of 2nd Temple (Brooklyn Museum)

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish 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. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Greeks have always been known as those who seek new experiences and places, there is a sense of wanderlust about them. So it is we see some Greeks (likely to be Gentiles) who have come to the Court of the Gentiles in the Temple and having heard news of this amazing prophet want to see him. The story only appears in John's Gospel appropriately, since he writes to explain everything to those of a Greek background. They speak to Philip, who has a Greek name, and who comes from Galilee where Gentile influence occurs. He directs them to Andrew, and then to Jesus. And so begins something that wasn't quite expected.

Speaking to the men Jesus uses the phrase 'Son of Man', referring to himself as the Messiah. He says he is to be 'glorified', and those around him would have thought, "The time is right and he is to initiate God's Kingdom". They probably saw him leading an army and performing spectacular signs. But Jesus quickly corrects this notion, for he speaks of his death, and seemingly the death of many who will follow him. Only then will God's Kingdom spread throughout the Jewish and the Gentile world.

In the maelstrom of events happening in and around the Temple at this time, Jesus makes it clear that his victory is not to be through such means, but through his suffering and death. He uses the single wheat grain as an example of how fruit will occur, that is how he and those who follow him will achieve God's aim.

We may not be called to die for Christ, but we are certainly called to live and work for God's Kingdom.

Lord God,
You call us to be Your people,
and to follow You.
You warned Your Disciples
that You came to suffer and die,
and that if they wanted to follow You
they might also suffer.
The fruit of their labour
spread Your words to the world.
May we have the courage
to suffer for the Gospel if need be,
so that others may follow You.
Amen.