Sent to Die and Bring Life

Jesus, Mission, and Glory PART I
Rev Abraham Cho
11 September 2016

John 12: 20-26
20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival.  21They came to Philip, who was from Bethasaida in Galilee, with a request.  "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."  22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  24Very truly I tell you, 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.  25Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.  My father will honor the one who serves me.

UNUSUAL SIGN
--v20-22; non Jews are inquiring which suggests some kind of ethnic divide.
--v.23 The Hour has come (coincides with the coming of non Jews?)
--A visible sign that God was acting to save the world because segregation was being challenged.

SURPRISING DISCLOSURE
--His death was the purpose of his life. (v24-25)

STRANGE INVITATION
--Our life flourishes when we fall to the ground.
--Human flourishing comes in the pursuit of self-denial in service of others.
--Lives of self-giving is the modus operandi of Jesus.