Andrew- John 12:20-36
Contents
LESSON NOTES AND QUESTIONS
Summary: This passage captures the moment when Greeks approach Jesus, highlighting an important intersection of faith and revelation. Jesus reveals the necessity of His death, using the analogy of a grain of wheat falling to the ground to bear fruit. This moment sets the stage for the fulfillment of His mission to the world and illustrates how true glory comes from submission to God's will, even in the face of death. True glory comes through humility and sacrifice, as Jesus demonstrates that following Him means embracing the cross and serving others.
Application: The message encourages believers to grapple with the concept of dying to self and the transformative power of surrendering to God’s will. It helps them understand that their challenges, pains, and sacrifices can lead to spiritual growth and a richer relationship with Christ, bringing hope and purpose amid suffering. It emphasizes that true life is found in self-sacrifice and following Jesus' footsteps.
Background on Disciple: Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, was the first of all the disciples to be called by Jesus (John 1:35-42)—he first heard and then found his brother Simon Peter. His eagerness to follow Christ, combined with his zeal for introducing others to Him, typifies Andrew's character. While Andrew was part of the inner circle, he was the least conspicuous—Scripture doesn’t tell a lot about him; he seems to live in the shadows of his better-known brother Peter. Andrew saw the value of individual people, as seen when he noted the boy with the bread/fish during the feeding of the 5,000.
1. Pathway of Sacrifice
John 12:20-24
It is interesting that John mentions the Greeks. These Greeks were likely God-fearers who attended Jewish synagogues and feasts. Their attendance symbolized the coming of Gentiles to worship God through Christ.
Jesus uses the analogy of a grain of wheat to explain that His death is necessary for new life. Just like a wheat seed must fall to the ground and die in order to sprout and produce a plentiful harvest, His sacrifice will bring forth abundant spiritual life for many through His resurrection. Jesus' death signifies His necessary death for the sake of bringing forth life. This powerful image allows believers to contemplate the importance of embracing sacrifice in their own lives. True renewal and glorification emerge from self-denial and the giving of oneself for the benefit of others.
QUESTION:
- What is God asking you to sacrifice? What are you struggling to let go of in your life in order to completely commit your life to Christ? What do you need to put to death in order for Christ to redeem and bring to life?
2. Purposeful Struggle
John 12:25-28
There is a paradox of losing life to find it. Jesus has an honest struggle in these verses, portraying His humanity. Despite the internal turmoil, Jesus remains committed to His mission, seeking the Father’s glorification. This moment invites believers to embrace their struggles with a view toward God’s greater purpose. Emphasize the transformative power of surrender and how even in moments of fear or doubt, God’s voice and purpose can be discerned.
The use of "hate" in the NT is not the same as how we use "hate" in modern language. It often means to regard something with less affection, love less, or esteem less. To “hate his life” means to be so committed to Christ that he has no self-centeredness or concern for himself. On the other hand, those who love their life will lose it. A believer should undergo a spiritual death to self.
QUESTION:
- How does Jesus' teaching about loving or hating one’s life in this world align with your current goals, ambitions, or pursuits? What might you need to "lose" in your life in order to better serve and follow Christ?
3. Promise of Light
John 12:29-36
This section may explore Jesus’ invitation to walk in the light, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of responding to His call before darkness overtakes. His invitation reveals the reality of His glorification through His death and encourages living a life reflective of His light and truth.
QUESTION:
- Jesus invites us to "believe in the light" and become "sons of light" (verse 36). How can believing in Jesus as the "light" shape your identity and choices? What changes might happen in your relationships, academic life, or future plans as you embrace being a "son or daughter of light"? Are there areas where you feel drawn to walk in darkness?
