John’s thinking is “way different.”
Apparently, for the gospels’ author, this passage signals the “beginning of the end” in Jesus’ path toward crucifixion.
The line has been drawn in the sand – and Jesus is leaping over it…and he is “high fiving everyone” as he does it!
At the very same time, it also encapsulates the paradox of the fourth gospel – that being – that the cross is actually an exaltation or a glorification.
The cross is a good thing. It is meant to be – meant to happen. It becomes the cross of glory and not a cross of humiliation.
It is vitally important to the Jesus story.
It is not the seat of a slave…it is the throne of a king. And Jesus is about to rule – victoriously.
Jesus goes to his death willingly and with acceptance. He even goes so far as to say, “It is for this reason that I have come.”
Jesus is not a beaten man, as in the Synoptics, rather, he is in total and complete charge of his fate.
Jesus is in control of what is about to happen. He definitely is no victim.
The Sanhedrin, the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Scribes are all impotent at being able to counter, Jesus’ popular appeal.
And therefore, in Jn 12. 19, the verse before today’s lection – it reads there: You see, you can do nothing. Look, the entire world has gone after him!”
The Greeks who come to see Jesus are believers in monotheism…but they were neither Jews, nor were they proselytes…
So, they would have been excluded from worship and participation in the Temple and participation in the various festivals.
That’s why they do not go to the Temple.
Instead, they go to Philip and ask to see Jesus.
They do not go where they are not wanted and will be excluded.
This is the first time in the fourth gospel that people who are not Jews come to Jesus.
Philip and Andrew are both Greek names. They go where they will be the most comfortable.
Greeks may not be welcome in the Temple in Jerusalem, but they are welcome among Jesus and his friends.
It is their approach – the coming of non-Jews that triggers THE HOUR. The moment is now at hand.
If there was ever a parallel between John and the Synoptics, this would be it!
This is the fourth gospel’s version of the Synoptics Garden of Gethsemane…
Jesus is troubled. He is agitated. He is tormented. He has an inward commotion going on…Jesus is temporarily discombobulated. It does not last very long. It is brief. It is passing.
The voice from heaven – likewise recalls “the voice from heaven” that attended Jesus’ baptism and his transfiguration. The difference of course, is in what the voice “says” and “to whom it speaks…”
Some think they are hearing a heavenly phenomenon, while others think they are hearing a natural phenomenon.
So, Jesus makes it clear that he had no need of a voice to tell him anything, the voice was for the benefit of the people…
According to Jesus…now is the separation of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be completely thrown out.
Satan or the evil one is not going to win this one, Jesus is going to chalk up one for his father. This will be their win.
Isaiah 52.13 in the suffering servant passages actually has a verse that say, “See my servant shall prosper and will be lifted up and glorified greatly!”
You do realize that when Jesus is lifted up and when he will draw all people to himself – this is a striking universalistic passage.
Jesus came for all. Jesus died for all. Jesus rose for all.
So what business does anyone have saying _ “Who is saved?” Or, “who isn’t saved?”
Seems to me – a whole lot of people just like to talk, or to hear themselves talk or are completely Biblical illiterate when they speak.
When the scripture says, that Jesus came for all…that should be the end of the discussion…
John may be different…but he does let us know that Jesus is like a spiritual magnet – that will draw all people to himself! Amen.