CERTAIN GREEKS
Friday – August 23, 2019, Av 22, 5779
Greetings my dear friends and partners of Eastern Gate Ministries International. I do appreciate each and every one of you who follow this blog (The Three Minute Word) seeing, reading, and diligently studying it either on Facebook, your email inbox, Twitter, or LinkedIn. If you are reading this on Facebook please take just a moment and hit the “love” and “share” buttons to give us feedback as well as spread the reach of the good news of the Kingdom of God. The featured picture today is of Donna and I at J Alexander’s on a trip to San Antonio in April. Now let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text in the Book of John, reading it aloud.
John 12:20-24 (KJV)
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
In the midst of the common Jews testifying about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead they are joined by some non-Jews, Gentiles (like you and me). It appears that these Gentiles (Greeks) were worshipers of God following the commandments of the Torah and the traditions of the observant Jews. So, we see there are a combination of Jew and Gentile gathered this day to examine the Lamb of God. Jesus paid the price for all mankind, Jew and Gentile alike even though salvation is of the Jew. These Gentiles (Greeks) came to the disciples and asked to see Jesus. Two of the disciples, Andrew and Philip come to Jesus and tell Him they wanted to see Him. As usual the answer from Jesus is not really a direct answer of the question. I suspect the question is along the lines of there are some guys here who want to see you and Jesus continues on with His discussion of the coming Crucifixion and Resurrection.
John 12:23 (KJV)
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
When Jesus says the hour is come, He is not talking about a literal sixty-minute span of time transpiring at that very moment but instead that it was to be very soon. They don’t really understand it yet but what Jesus is talking about is really good news for them, for all of mankind back in time and forward in time. Then Jesus launches into a parable or illustration of a spiritual Truth.
John 12:24-27 (KJV)
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
Seeds of all kinds are unproductive until they are sown into the proper soil (ground). Once sown, the soil or ground knows what to do with the seed. Jesus is the Seed! A harvest could not come until Jesus was sown. Once sown He has brought an abundant harvest of children for the Father. Jesus was the firstborn from the spiritual dead and now each of us in our order. Jesus had already laid down His spiritual life, His soul (mind, will, emotions) to the will of the Father and now He is laying down His physical life. In this way we can reap the same immortal, glorified, body like His, we have access to eternal spiritual life, and we can renew our minds so that our thoughts, words, and ways mirror Him and we can function in the abundance He paid for at Calvary. Jesus taught us many things, He is our prime example, and He told us plainly we can be like Him in spite of what religion teaches us. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. This was the overarching purpose of His coming. Oh what a Savior!
1 John 3:8 (KJV)
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (Bold added by Dr. Wood)
He died spiritually and physically that we could live unto Him in eternity with a life exactly like that of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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