(A) Introduction. (Read the reference)

Greek speaking Gentile proselytes to Judaism approached Philip and asked for an introduction to Jesus. Philip did not say spontaneously, "Yes, of course, Jesus will be pleased to see you." Why was that? Philip probably thought that his Master was in a strange mood - heavy hearted and unpredictable. So he consulted his friend Andrew and together they went to Jesus with the Greek's request. The apparently harmless desire of the Gentiles to speak with Jesus prompted Christ's solemn words about his death. Philip's worst fears were realised! This is something that needs to be explained.

(B) Jesus highlighted an universal principle: sacrifice precedes success.

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you the truth unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." v24. He is saying that there is no gain without pain.

This is true in most walks of life. The peasant farmer knows that he must not eat the seed corn if he wants a future harvest. The seed corn is for sowing. The shrewd businessman ploughs back the firm's profits into the business. Investment is vital for future growth. Loving parents sacrifice freedom and many personal pleasures to bring up their children. The student doctor or lawyer engages in hours and hours of gruelling study before reaping the rewards of their labour.

Jesus paid the extreme price; he sacrificed his life to bring many sons to glory. As the writer to the Hebrews put it: In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God .... should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Heb2v10.

(C) Jesus considered the alternatives to death on the cross.

(1) Jesus had just ridden in triumph into Jerusalem. One alternative was to give the Jews what they wanted. Jesus could decide to rule as an earthly king; to accept what Satan offered in the wilderness - all the kingdoms of the world. This is what the Jews expected the Messiah to do. It is probable that they were thinking of passages like Daniel7v13to14 when they said: "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain for ever ... ." v34. This is what Daniel wrote of one like the son of man: He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all people, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Dan7v14. The tragedy for the Jews is that Jesus has wonderfuly fulfilled this prophecy - but not in the way they expected.

If Jesus had acted to please his supporters he could have been popular, respected and admired. There is no doubt that Jesus would have brought great benefits to the world as an earthly ruler; but mankind would have remained unsaved!

(2) The arrival of the earnest Greeks respectfully requesting an audience with Jesus suggested another alternative. He could be the great teacher, the authentic prophetic voice, the world's guru, a sage honoured for his spirituality down the years. The arrival of the Greeks is actually a temptation to dispense with the cross and to leave his inspirational words for mankind's guidance.

There was something men and women needed far more than a godly teacher or a splendid example. They needed a saviour - someone to make the one, last, perfect sacrifice for sin - a sacrifice acceptable to God our creator. This is why the approach of the Greeks prompted Jesus' words about dying.

(D) Why was Jesus troubled at the prospect of dying?

Jesus said: "Now is my heart troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'?" v27.

Why was Jesus so distressed about dying? We all have to die and many face death calmly. My old friend George who is far from well and whom I visited today told me: "I'm ready to go." So he is. There have been plenty, too, who have faced a violent death with fortitude.

Jesus was troubled as the hour of his crucifixion drew near because he realised it would make great demands of him:

(1) Crucifixion was a barbaric practice. To endure it required the highest order of physical courage.

(2) The period from Christ's arrest to his death is the most shameful episode in the history of mankind. Jesus anticipated this when he said: "Now is the time for judgment on this world." v30. The disgraceful treatment meted out to Jesus revealed man at his very worst. Jesus needed emotional toughness to bear it. Shameful behaviour in any organisation is difficult for the innocent to cope with.

(3) The defection of friends, distress of loved ones and the taunts of his enemies would test Jesus' self-control to the limits. It would be so easy for him to say, "Enough of this", and break free from the cross to confound his opponents and delight his supporters.

(4) Jesus had to accomplish his saving work alone - without the help of man, angels or even God, his Father. He was so overwhelmed by loneliness on the cross that he cried out: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

(5) Perhaps the worst thing for Jesus as he contemplated his saving work was the awful responsibility he bore. He needed to make the perfect sacrifice for sin. Jesus may have been troubled in case the sacrifice was less than perfect and unacceptable to God. Then his life's work would be ruined and there would be no redemption for sinful men.

I made a sacrifice when I gave up work to care for my sick, demented father. One of the chief regrets of my life is that it was a less than perfect sacrifice. I lost my temper with my father and shouted at him. Once or twice in extreme frustration and fear I even slapped him. How sorry I am now. It is so, so, hard to make a perfect sacrifice. This is what Jesus was called upon to do. Tempted in all ways as we are he would be tested almost beyond endurance.

(E) How was Jesus glorified in death?

Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the son of man to be glorified." Jesus was glorified in death because on the cross we see him at his best. At Calvary he exhibited four great virtues:

(1) Submissiveness.
Jesus died in obedience to his Father. He said: "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour." v27.

Submissiveness and obedience are not popular virtues. There are never included in a list of virtues by boys and girls at school. Submissiveness is even thought of as demeaning. Some women think it degrading to be submissive to their husbands! I taught children who were submissive and obedient. They were not somehow inferior to boys and girls who were rebellious, disruptive and disobedient! They were not my inferiors either. It was just necessary for the smooth conduct of their education. The pupils of my last school, Debenham High, regularly obtained the best results of any state school in East Anglia simply because they were compliant.

We should remember the words of Paul to the Philippians: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Phil2v5to8. See exposition on Phil2v5to10.

(2) Love - for both God the Father and sinful men.
God's dearest desire is to redeem sinners ruined by the fall. Jesus loved his Father and co-operated fully in salvation's plan. He did so willingly because as a man amongst men he loved Adam's race. John writes in his first epistle: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." 1John3v16.

(3) Faith.
Jesus believed that his death would achieve great things. It would:

(a) Bear fruit. "But if it (a grain of wheat) dies, it produces many seeds." v24. Jesus believed that he would see his seed and be satisfied.

(b) Defeat Satan. Jesus said: "...... now the prince of this world will be driven out." v31. The power of Satan has been broken. He took a mortal blow at Calvary. He is in retreat and the Spirit of God is extending Christ's kingdom into every corner of the earth.

(c) Bring many sinners to saving faith. Jesus pronounced with calm assurance: "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all men to myself." v32.

On Calvary, dark Calvary,
Where Jesus bled and died for me;
'Twas there from sin He set me free,
On Calvary, dark Calvary.

To endure any ordeal three qualities are needed: hope, physical courage and self-control. An elderly man sets out to climb Helvellyn in the Lake District because he has been told the view at the top is magnificent. If the man is to endure the long haul to the summit he must hope to enjoy the view when he gets there, have courage to withstand the pain of the steeper sections and resist the temptation to give up.

Jesus suffered on the cross in the hope of redeeming sinners. He exhibited great courage to withstand the scourging, crown of thorns and brutal crucifixion itself. Jesus needed all his amazing self-control to resist the temptation to confound his tormenters who shouted out: "He saved others, but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him." Mt27v42. Without endurance the work of redemption would never have been completed

How was God glorified by the death of Jesus.

Jesus said: "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father save me from this hour.' No it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father glorify your name!"

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again."

The death of Jesus brings glory to God because it reveals his:

(1)Wisdom.
God knew that many sinners would have confidence in the cross. Paul wrote: What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Rom8v31and32.

It was because Jesus:

Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race;

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

'Tis mercy all, immense and free.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. John3v17.

God's mercy is one facet of his love. It is the facet John refers to in his first epistle: This is love: not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1John4v10.

(3) Grace
This is another slightly different facet of God's love. Although we are rebellious sinners, children of wrath and deserving destruction, God made provision for us. As the writer to the Hebrews put it: But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Heb2v9.

In loving kindness Jesus came,
My soul in mercy to reclaim
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace He lifted me.

(G) Application to Christians.

The passage does not just refer to Jesus and the great work he did but also to Christians. It is an immense challenge.

(1) If we are to serve God and bear fruit to his glory then self has to be put to death. Jesus said: "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am my servant also will be." v26.

Christian service is not an ego trip, not something done at our convenience and not an appendage to our lives. We should be able to say with Paul: I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Phil3v8.

A lot of Christians put their secular work and ambition before service. They are so exhausted by the demands of their job that they have no energy left over for Sunday school teaching, youth work or church administration. It is a scandal. There are others who let the pursuit of pleasure diminish their commitment. This can happen on retirement when a couple spend so much time on holiday that they are useless to their church. A lack of submissiveness means that there is a lack of volunteers for low status, mundane and thankless tasks like cutting the graveyard grass, setting out the communion, cleaning the gentlemen's toilet, counting, bagging and banking the collection.

(2) We should not love the life we lead so much that we dread losing it. Jesus said: "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." v25.

(a) Many folk do not want their lives to change. They are increasingly happy with life as they live it. Such people realise only too well that submission and obedience to Jesus will change their lives. It will change the way that they spend their time particularly on Sunday. They will be obliged to serve the church and have a duty of care to other Christians. Their priorities will be completely different.

(b) Some who call themselves Christians are not willing to suffer loss for Christ. They are not prepared to forfeit comfort, ease, security or health for the Kingdom's sake. Many clergymen fled London during the plagues of the 17th century but John Donne, the Dean of St Paul's, remained to minister to his flock. Leaders of the underground church in China put the material well being of their wives and children at risk by serving Jesus. They were imprisoned for Christ's sake and their families left with no means of support.

We in the West have not been tested so severely. We may just be asked to forego a treat for the sake of the gospel - a sport's event, a favourite TV program, an outing with a friend, a date or a snug night in. Are we capable of making the smallest sacrifice? I hope so!

(3) The way to serve Jesus is to follow him. He said: "Whoever serves me must follow me." v26. We need to walk in the light of his example. "Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you." v35.

If we follow the example of Jesus we:

(a) Won't disdain menial tasks. Jesus washed his disciples feet as an example to his disciples.

(b) Will appreciate humble contributions to the church. Jesus commended a certain poor widow who gave two mites to the temple.

(c) Won't judge harshly. Jesus said to the woman taken in adultery: "Neither do I condemn you .... ."

(d) Will oppose those who bring the church into disrepute however important or influential they might be. Jesus cleansed the temple even though it made enemies of the chief priests.

(e) Will help our brothers and sisters in trouble even if they have brought the trouble on themselves. Jesus was quick to rescue Peter as he began to sink into the stormy sea.

(f) Will consult God regularly.

(g) Will speak the truth regardless of whether it makes us unpopular. Jesus never pulled his punches when decrying the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

(h) Will seek first the kingdom of God, consistently putting God's will first - as Jesus always did - in spite of the sacrifice involved.

(4) The Christian's reward. Jesus promised: "My Father will honour the one who serves me." v26. "The man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." v25.

We shall be honoured if we are good soldiers of Jesus Christ:

Stand up, stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor's song.
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally.