Ready for Jesus?

Saturday, August 21, 2021

20-21 There were some Greeks in town who had come up to worship at the Feast. They approached Philip from Bethsaida in Galilee: “Sir, we want to see Jesus. Can you help us?”

22-23 Philip went and told Andrew. Andrew and Philip together told Jesus. Jesus answered, “Time’s up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24-25 “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.

26 “If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.

-John 12:20-26 The Message.

Verse 20: Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the Feast;

Verse 21: these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

Verse 22: Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus.

Verses 20-21 study: The Greeks went to Philip for two reasons. One, he is a Jew, and two, because he has a Greek name.

Verse 23: And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Verse 24: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Verse 25: He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.

Verse 26: If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will also be; if anyone helps Me, the Father will honor him.

Verses 23-25 study: Wheat won’t grow unless you put the seed in the ground for it to raise. Besides that, the sacrifice Jesus does for our sins is even greater. It shows power. Jesus can multiply like the seeds in the ground when it comes to eternal life.

Verse 25 study: We should live for Christ to the point that we are ready to be with Jesus when it is our time and is satisfied with our lives. Living that type of life requires us to live unselfishly and with joy. We shouldn’t put our security in things that Jesus can provide for us.

Verse 26 study: Some believe Jesus was only talking to the Jews. But he was talking to the Greeks too. So don’t let the differences from others stop you from sharing your Good News about Jesus.

Father, thank you for waking us today. I pray we continue to follow you, live life, and be ready for you when you call us home. In Jesus’ name. Amen!