John 12:12-50 | What's happening (and who's involved)?

In this passage, we are at the start of what we know as passion week. These are the days leading up to the death of Jesus. Just a week prior to His death, we have recorded that the people gathered palm branches and waved it at Him as He entered Jerusalem on a colt. They cried out that famous verse from Psalm 118.

The people shouted, "Hosanna!" This word means "save us now." They were seeking for salvation from Jesus. Remember that the people at this point are considering Jesus as their Messiah that is getting ready to establish His rule and reign. They are thinking they're welcoming a physical king that will overthrown the Roman empire. They were expecting the conquering king, but first had to come the suffering servant.

As Philip and Andrew meet with Jesus and express how some of the Greeks wanted to see Him, Jesus begins to teach them. He is aware of what is about to happen. He announces that the hour has come for Him to be glorified. As such, what follows is preparatory words for His disciples. At the core of Jesus' teaching is two major themes: 1) Jesus is master and His servants will follow Him and 2) the servant must act as the master does.

Jesus is laying down His life. He is exemplifying something that each of these disciples will experience in turn. They do not understand exactly what He is saying in that moment, but in their reflection, they get it. Their lives are no longer lived for themselves. They are lived for Jesus' sake.

In an interesting moment, Jesus prays to the Father and the Father responds testifying of how He has glorified Jesus' name and will glorify it again. This was said for the sake of the people, as Jesus highlights. He continued to encourage them and then departed, hidden from them.

John highlights how the people have responded in their unbelief. Others did in fact believe but failed to confess because of fear. He highlights how they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. This is directly contrary to what Jesus was teaching.

The section ends with Jesus teaching further upon believing in Him and the consequences of believing versus not believing. The core of it gets to the importance of accepting Jesus. The one who walks after Jesus ought to walk in the light as He is in the light. Much of the teaching found in verses 44-50 is reminiscent of a lot of what we see in 1 John as well. It evidently had a massive impact upon John. Rightfully so. It should produce a similar effect upon us.

What observations are you making?