Been at Tabor for 6 months so will speak directly this Harvest morning
One statement – "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."
What does this mean?
A picture of sowing seed
In one sense dead – buried, not seen
Then a plant, then fruit
There is an appearance of death that leads to more life (it germinates)
However, Jesus actually dies
Jesus is truly risen
Why does Jesus say this – responding to the question from the Greeks (v20)
Asked during the most important feast of Passover
A remembrance of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt
A remembrance of the final curse upon Egypt
A remembrance when the Angel passed over the Israelites
Many people have come to Jerusalem for the Passover
There are many stories and rumours about Jesus
He has just raised Lazarus from the dead
People wondering if Jesus is the Messiah
The triumphal entry confirms many believe Jesus is the Messiah
However, the people think that Jesus is going to overthrow the Romans and set up an earthly kingdom
There is great excitement from the people
But the religious leaders are deeply worried (v19)
They plot to kill Jesus (who claims to be God)
Many people wanted to meet Jesus (v18)
Even the most skeptical person needs to ask and question
Greek speaking Jews
They want to see Jesus (v21)
They have heard people speaking about Jesus
They go via Phillip
They want to know more about the salvation and eternal life offered by Jesus
There is a large group of people (v29)
Phillip and Andrew go to Jesus
The religious leaders have sent spies out to find Jesus – John 11:57
They ask Jesus
What does Jesus say – He talks about seed and death (v23)
The promises of God were given to the Jewish people
Yet they look for an earthly king
They are spiritually and morally moribund
Yet the religious leaders reject Jesus
Even the people currently in favour of Jesus will ultimately reject Him
The promises of God were not given to the Greeks and non-Jewish people
What can Jesus give us – money, health, security?
He can die for the Greeks (and the Jews)
He can die for us
Helping us to be ‘good’ is not enough
God sets a very high bar – Romans 14:12
God gives the law so we may be forewarned of the standard – James 2:10
Our sin condemns us
Jesus has to die for us
Sin must be punished
God must bring justice
Have we realised our sin?
What can we do for our sin?
Sin brings death
God is a perfect judge and He is a perfect Father
God has perfect love – 1 John 4:9
Jesus takes upon Himself the death and judgment of sin
He is the grain of wheat that dies
But then produces much seed – a harvest of souls
Jesus rises from the dead
He is victorious over death and sin
Thus the penalty of our sin is removed from us
Christ reaches the bar for us
Eternal life is gifted to us in Christ – Romans 6:23
There is an eternal transaction
Jesus tells us the Greek to watch what happens – they will see his death and resurrection
Jesus will bring forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who ask
Are you part of the harvest?
Will you have spiritual life?
Do not be like the religious leaders who turned their backs on Jesus (v36)
