Die for the Harvest
March 16, 2025
John 12:20–26 (ESV) 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.
v. 20. Some Greeks come to worship at the Passover Feast.
-This was 6 Days before the Passover Feast, then Jesus was crucified.
-Passover is when the Jews celebrated crossing over the Red Sea and God delivering them from Slavery in Egypt.
v. 21-22. Greeks ask Philip if they can see Jesus. Philip tells Andrew about Greeks wanting to see Jesus.
Andrew is known as bringing people to Jesus.
John 1:40–42 (NLT) 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).
We cannot neglect One on One Evangelism.
Peter became a powerful preacher and leader of the early church.
You never know who you will bring to Jesus:
The next Billy Graham, Nicky Cruz, Sonny Arguinzoni Sr. etc.
v. 23. Jesus responded like He did not understand.
He gives a weird response.
John 12:23 (ESV) And Jesus answered them,
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Greeks coming to look for Jesus was Significant:
1. To Jesus, Greeks represented Gentile people coming
to worship God.
Jesus had talked about this before.
John 10:16 (NIV) I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.
I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice,
and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Many of the Jews were celebrating the Passover Feast out of Tradition and Religion.
They Lost their first Love
2. Jesus uses this opportunity to announce His death.
For most people, death is something to avoid.
For Jesus, Death is the way He would enter into Glory.
Isaiah 53:10, 12 (NLT) 10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. … 12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.
3. Jesus gives an illustration about His Death.
John 12:24 (ESV) 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.
A Grain of Wheat falling to the ground and dying will produce much fruit.
Jesus is saying that:
Death is necessary for a Harvest.
Before you can have a Harvest, a seed must be planted and die.
Then after some time, that seed will spring up out of the ground and become a new plant that will produce much fruit.
Jesus’ Dying will Bring in a Harvest of souls, people to Heaven, Salvation, Eternal Life.
“Much Fruit” is stated only Three times in the bible:
John 15:5 (ESV) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit,
for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:8 (ESV) By this my Father is glorified,
that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Bearing “Much Fruit” comes by:
Abiding in an intimate relationship with Jesus.
Bearing “Much Fruit” is a person who:
-Is at peace with themselves.
-Has the Joy of the Lord in their Heart.
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
It is time to Seek Jesus.
We seek after many things:
Employment
Friendship: Companionship, Someone to Confide in
Marriage: A life long soul mate
Education: More knowledge, Doors open
Fame: Wealth, Popularity
Seek after is Jesus is the best thing anyone can do:
Jesus:
-Was Born to Die for our sins
-He Gave Himself for our salvation
-He became weak so that we can be strong
-He Died so that we can Live
Isaiah 53:5 (NLT) But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
Many people seek after Jesus for selfish reasons:
Religion, Tradition
Seek to See Jesus with a Pure Heart:
Psalm 27:4–5 (ESV) 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
When you truly seek after Jesus with a pure heart:
Sinners get saved.
God’s Grace, Mercy, and Peace will be in your life in good and bad times.
Joy springs up in your soul.
Comfort comes in times of trouble
Victory over sin, anger, depression,
Romans 8:35–39 (NIV) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jesus applies this principle to our life.
John 12:25–26 (ESV) 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.
Death is the Way to Life:
1. Hate Your life.
2. Follow Jesus by Serving Him
3. Go (Be) where Jesus is at.
4. Seek after pleasing God, not people.
Don’t ever Stop Seeking Jesus.
Luke 11:9–10 (ESV) — 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Seek Jesus by Listening to His Word.
God’s word will show you His Will, His Heart, and give you Guidance.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV) Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
Psalm 19:8 (ESV) the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
Psalm 119:18 (ESV) Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
Seek Jesus to Obey Him, Live for Him, Fellowship with Him.
John 14:23 (ESV) Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.