Sunday 17 March 2024

Psalm 119:9-16

Background

I always find this a bit of a puzzling passage. It is the run-up to the Passover festival and a group of Greeks approach Philip asking for an audience with Jesus. When Phillip and Andrew take the request to Jesus, he doesn’t answer directly. Instead he goes off at a tangent, giving a teaching that seems completely disconnected from the request. We never do find out whether the Greeks met him!

However, that isn’t important to John in the construction of his gospel account. What is important is that this is a turning point in the whole narrative. Firstly, it points to the widening out of God’s purposes. ‘The Greeks’ is shorthand for Gentiles (ie non-Jews). In Jesus’ response to their request, he points to the fact that, from now on, his ministry isn’t just for the people of Israel, but for all people. It ties in with that statement that was part of last week’s reading: "For God so loved the world…" (3:16).

This passage also shows the means by which this broadening out will occur. It is only through Jesus' death and resurrection that God’s new kingdom can come about. He speaks of it both in terms of his being lifted up (v. 32, again look back to last week’s reflection), and to a seed which must die and be buried in the soil in order to sprout new life.

John wanted to make it crystal clear that Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion shouldn’t be seen as a tragedy that God then overcame in the resurrection; instead the whole act is the means by which God is glorified. The voice from heaven, that many understandably thought was thunder, speaks of how God’s name has been glorified already – in the ministry of Jesus – and will be glorified again in his Passion and resurrection.

Earlier in his gospel, John records that Jesus’ hour hadn’t come (2:4, 7:30), but now Jesus announces that the hour has come. He reveals his human nature when confessing that his soul is troubled, but still he follows the path in order to bring glory to God the Father.

To Ponder:

• Speaking of Jesus’ troubled soul might have linked back to Psalm 42, which speaks of continuing to hope in God despite distresses. How have you found ways to continue to hope in God during hard times?
• Jesus calls us all to offer our lives as seeds that need to die in order for new life to sprout. What things do you need to let go of, to allow God to bring forth new life?

Prayer

O God, my help and my strength, may I discover your hope when the way feels hard; may I have the courage to let things go, so that I might find your new life growing; and may I live for your glory this day and always. Amen.

Bible Study Author: The Revd Will Fletcher