John 12 shows how upside down the kingdom of heaven is compared to our world. The values of the kingdom fly in the face of the values people in our world hold.
John 12:23, 24. “Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’” Jesus says the time has arrived for him to be glorified. He is speaking of what? His crucifixion! In the eyes of our world crucifixion is the farthest thing from glorification. But Jesus points out the principle of the seed dying and producing a multitude of seeds. This multitude of seeds will bring glory to him and make his name famous. The multitude of seeds will spread around the world and Jesus will be glorified!
John 12:25. “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” What does our world believe about happiness? That a man becomes happy when he saves his money, makes wise investments, and takes good care of himself so he can enjoy his wealth. Jesus bluntly says such a man will lose his life while the man who puts no value in such things and gladly spends his life for the kingdom is the one who reaps abundant life. Pretty upside down, isn’t it?
John 12:26. “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” What do you think it means to “believe” in Jesus? The biblical concept of belief is lost on our society. It has come to mean that one merely believes Jesus existed on the earth and gave us good teachings to live by. One can “believe” in Jesus and hope for heaven without changing or doing anything more than saying, “I believe in Jesus.” But what does Jesus say here? Belief entails service and those who serve, follow! There is commitment here! We become servants of Jesus and we follow in his footsteps wherever they might lead whatever it might cost!
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