When the Greeks Wished to “See Jesus”

Picture: When the Greeks Wished to “See Jesus” 3TC 388.1

This chapter is based on John 12:20-43. 

“Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip ... and asked him, saying, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ ... Andrew and Philip told Jesus.” 3TC 388.2

At this time Christ’s work looked as though it had suffered cruel defeat. He had been the victor in the controversy with the priests and Pharisees, but it was clear that they would never accept Him as the Messiah. The final separation had come. The case seemed hopeless. But the great event that concerned the whole world was about to take place. When Christ heard the eager request, “We wish to see Jesus,” echoing the hungering cry of the world, His face lit up, and He said, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” 3TC 388.3

These men came from the West to find the Savior at the close of His life. The wise men had come from the East at the beginning. These Greeks represented the nations, tribes, and peoples of the world. People of all lands and all ages would be drawn by the Savior’s cross. 3TC 388.4

The Greeks longed to know the truth about Christ’s mission. When they said, “We wish to see Jesus,” He was in that part of the temple that excluded everyone except Jews, but He went out to the Greeks in the outer court and had a personal interview with them. 3TC 388.5

The inquiry of the Greeks showed Christ that the sacrifice He was about to make would bring many sons and daughters to God. He knew that the Greeks would soon see Him in a position they did not dream of then. They would see Him placed beside Barabbas, a robber and a murderer. To the question, “What ... shall I do with Jesus?” the people would answer, “Let Him be crucified!” Matthew 27:22. By making this sacrifice for sin Christ knew that His kingdom would be perfected and would extend throughout the world. He would work as the Restorer, and His Spirit would prevail. 3TC 388.6

For a moment He heard voices proclaiming in all parts of the earth, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29. In these strangers He saw the pledge of a great harvest. He expressed His anticipation of this, the fulfillment of His hopes, in His words, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” But He never forgot the way in which this glorification must take place. The world could be saved only by His death. Like a grain of wheat, the Son of man must be put into the ground and die, and be buried out of sight; but He was to live again. 3TC 388.7

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” When the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it springs up and bears fruit. Likewise the death of Christ would result in fruit for the kingdom of God. In accordance with the law of the vegetable kingdom, life was to be the result of His death. 3TC 389.1

Year by year, the farmer preserves his supply of grain by apparently throwing away the best part. For a time it must be hidden under the furrow, to be watched over by the Lord. Then appears the blade, then the ear, and then the grain in the ear. 3TC 389.2

The seed buried in the ground produces fruit, and in turn this is planted. In this way the harvest is multiplied. So the death of Christ on the cross will bear fruit for eternal life. Contemplating this sacrifice will be the glory of those who live through eternal ages as the fruit of it. 3TC 389.3

Christ could save Himself from death if He chose. But if He were to do this, He must “remain alone.” Only by falling into the ground to die could He become the seed for that huge harvest—the great multitude redeemed to God. 3TC 389.4

Everyone should learn this lesson of self-sacrifice: “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” The life must be thrown into the furrow of the world’s need. Self-love, self-interest, must die. And the law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation. To give is to live. The life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and others. 3TC 389.5

The life spent on self is like the grain that is eaten. There is no increase. We may gather all we can; we may live, think, and plan for self; but our life passes away, and we have nothing. The law of self-serving is the law of self-destruction. 3TC 389.6

“If anyone serves Me,” said Jesus, “let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” All who have carried the cross of sacrifice with Jesus will share with Him in His glory. They are workers together with Christ, and the Father will honor them as He honors His Son. 3TC 389.7

The message of the Greeks brought to Jesus’ mind the work of redemption from the time when the plan was formed in heaven to His death that was now so close. A mysterious cloud seemed to enclose the Son of God. He sat, deep in thought. At last His mournful voice broke the silence: “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’?” Christ’s humanity recoiled from the hour of abandonment, when everyone would see Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. He shrank from being treated as the worst of criminals, from a shameful, dishonored death. A sense of the awful burden of human sin and the Father’s wrath because of sin made the spirit of Jesus faint and the paleness of death come over His face. 3TC 389.8

Voice of God Heard

Then He yielded divine submission to His Father’s will. “For this purpose,” He said, “I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Only through His death could Christ overthrow Satan’s kingdom, redeem humanity, and glorify God. Jesus accepted the sacrifice; He agreed to suffer as the Sin Bearer. A response came from the cloud that hovered above His head: “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” In the coming ordeal Christ’s divine-human sufferings would indeed glorify His Father’s name. 3TC 390.1

As the Voice was heard, a light encircled Christ, as if the arms of Infinite Power were thrown around Him like a wall of fire. No one dared to speak. All stood looking intently at Jesus. When the Father had finished giving His testimony, the cloud lifted and scattered in the heavens. 3TC 390.2

The inquiring Greeks saw the cloud, heard the Voice, understood its meaning, and recognized the truth about Christ. He was revealed to them as the One sent by God. The voice of God had spoken at Jesus’ baptism and again at His transfiguration. Now a larger number of people heard it on this third occasion. Jesus had just made His last appeal and pronounced the doom of the Jews. Now God again recognized the One whom Israel had rejected. “This voice did not come because of Me,” said Jesus, “but for your sake.” It was the signal from the Father that Jesus had spoken the truth and was the Son of God. 3TC 390.3

“‘Now is the judgment of this world,’” Christ continued, “‘now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” If I become the atoning sacrifice for human sin, the world will be lighted up. Satan’s hold on men and women will be broken. The defaced image of God will be restored in humanity, and a family of believing saints will finally inherit the heavenly home. The Savior saw the cross, the cruel, shameful cross with all its attending horrors, blazing with glory. 3TC 390.4

But human redemption is not all that the cross accomplishes. The love of God is displayed to the universe. The accusations of Satan against heaven are forever answered. Angels as well as fallen human beings are drawn to the Redeemer. “I, if I am lifted up from the earth,” He said, “will draw all peoples to Myself.” 3TC 390.5

Many people were standing around Christ as He spoke these words. But “although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him.” He had given them countless signs, but they had closed their eyes and hardened their hearts. Now that the Father Himself had spoken and they could ask for no further sign, they still refused to believe. 3TC 390.6

“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue.” To save themselves from condemnation and shame, they denied Christ and rejected the offer of eternal life. 3TC 390.7

How terrible for those who did not recognize the time of their opportunity! Slowly and regretfully Christ left the temple courts forever. 3TC 391.1