John 12:20-26
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 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. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Reflection
The Pharisees lamented, “The world has gone after him” (John 12:19), but they simply had no clue how fully their words would be fulfilled. With the arrival of the Greeks (vv. 20–21), we are given a preview of the enormous impact that the death of Jesus would have upon the nations of the world. In Jesus we see the promise to Abraham fulfilled, that he would be the father of many nations (Gen. 12:1–3).
Ultimately these Greeks were seeking Jesus because Jesus was seeking them. He came into the world to seek and to save the lost, and as these non-Jews requested to see him, Jesus recognized that the time for his suffering was now at hand (John 12:23).
Hebrews 11:23-31
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
Reflection
Another key dimension of faith is its firm, steadfast character in times of suffering. Moses chose “rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Heb. 11:25). How was he able to do this? By “looking to the reward” (v. 26).
We see here that the path of faith is ultimately the most satisfying option. While it may seem easier or more pleasant to devote our lives to the ways of sin, it will lead to less happiness in the end. The pleasures of sin are “fleeting” (v. 25), but those who choose the challenging path of following Christ will have far “greater wealth” (v. 26) someday. Like Moses, if we set our hope on the promised riches of our heavenly reward, we will find strength to resist sin’s temptations and endure the difficult path of discipleship as those “seeing him who is invisible” (v. 27).
Psalm 119:14
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
Living for Christ is to choose the option that provides the greatest happiness in the end. Pray for your unbelieving friends who are settling for the fleeting pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:25), and ask God to show them that he offers far greater wealth (Heb. 11:26).