The Curious Case of Jesus and the Greeks

The text before us presents us with one of the more curious exchanges in the Gospel of John. As the Savior comes to Jerusalem for the final time in His earthly ministry, everything appears to be going fabulously. Not only has He been received with adulation and shouts of victory, but His opponents have been shamed and silenced. And now, even the Greeks are starting to notice and enquire after Him. Of course, we know the rest of the story. In a few days, He will suffer and die at the hands of the Romans as instigated by the Jewish council, and He will be betrayed by one in His inner circle. But at this time all seems well and His life and ministry are becoming known far and wide. At this point we have what appears to be an almost awkward interchange between some Gentiles and the Lord's disciples and the Lord Himself. Of all things, one would expect that the Savior would be happy to receive these visitors, but when He receives the message, it is as though He didn't understand or care. But appearances can be deceiving. It is at this point that the Savior reveals profound truths regarding His own destiny as the true Paschal Lamb and regarding the nature of true discipleship and fellowship with Him. Whether the disciples took the words of the Savior to the Greeks is not revealed, but we know that these truths would very soon be preached to all nations. – Pastor Schlegel