John 12:20-26
The Gospel of John: Expository Sermon #46
The Cross for Glory: Becoming a grain of wheat
Dr. Jaeyun Lee | Dr. Jaeyun Lee
1. Listening to the Word
- What verse from today’s message touched your heart the most?
- Write down any sentence or expression from the sermon that stayed with you.
2. Questions for Understanding the Passage
- When Greeks (Gentiles) came to Jesus during a Jewish festival, He declared, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." What specific event did Jesus refer to with this "hour" and "glory," if not the earthly throne the world was expecting?
- Jesus spoke of the principle of life through the analogy of the 'grain of wheat.' Comparing the biblical text (John 12:24), what are the different results when the grain of wheat falls to the ground and remains 'just a single grain' without dying, versus when it 'dies'?
- In verse 26, Jesus says, "If anyone serves me, he must follow me," and indicates where His disciples ought to be. What kind of place is the "place of service"—the place where a disciple must remain—which is where Jesus is?
3. Questions for Application
Jesus emptied Himself, abandoning His heavenly throne and falling to this earth to die for us. In my current life (at home, work, church, etc.), what are the things—my pride, stubbornness, or comfort—that I am holding onto "as a single grain", preventing me from bearing any fruit?
- To "hate one's life" signifies a re-establishment of priorities. Let us consider what specific things I must concretely give up or concede in order to prioritize the Lord's will over my own interests.
- The visit of the Greeks demonstrates that the Gospel extends beyond the Jewish people to all nations. What practical actions can our church take to become a "dying grain of wheat" for neighbors or nations who have not yet heard the Gospel?
4. Sharing Together
- Experience of Service and Self-Preservation: Share any experiences from the past week where a relationship was restored or peace was found when you put aside your own claims or feelings to serve others. Conversely, were there moments when you struggled because you insisted on surviving "as a single grain" until the end?
- We have meditated on the "Death of the Grain of Wheat" today. Next week, we will hear the message, "Believe in the light while you have the light" (John 12:35-36), as Jesus approaches the way of the cross. Let us share what we have resolved to do this week to live as children of light, casting off the works of darkness, so that the Lord's death is not in vain.
Pray
- We give profound thanks for the grace of Jesus, who abandoned His heavenly glory and willingly became a grain of wheat, dying on the cross to give life to sinners.
- Forgive our selfishness and fear that causes us to remain "just a single grain." Now, empower us to live true lives as disciples, where our egos are broken and die at home and in the workplace, allowing the life and fragrance of Jesus to be revealed.
- In this season, help us to emulate the humility of our Lord, the Word made flesh, who dwelt among us. May our church become a conduit of salvation for the nations, and may the upcoming Christmas season be a field of grace where all peoples turn to You.
